Knockkippen Wind Farm Planning Approval Granted

Pell Frischmann is delighted to have supported Naturalis Energy Developments’ planning approval submission for the Knockkippen Wind Farm in East Ayrshire, recently granted by the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit. 

The project involves the installation of up to twelve turbines, each with a maximum tip height between 150 and 180 meters, with a total capacity of approximately 60 megawatts (MW). Additionally, the wind farm will feature a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The electricity generated by the site is expected to be sufficient to power at least 20,000 homes annually. 

Pell Frischmann is pleased to have designed the site infrastructure, which included the access track network design, turbine hardstands, watercourse crossings, site compound, and substation design. All on-site constraints were carefully identified, and the infrastructure design was developed to avoid impacts on sensitive ecological areas, peat, and water resources, while ensuring the works do not affect the historic mining and railway assets located on the site. 

We also carried out transport and access assessments, analysing the movement of turbine blades measuring up to 65 metres in length. To support the development during the planning review process, we produced a comprehensive Transport Assessment and an EIA Transport and Access Chapter. All physical access constraints were identified, with appropriate mitigation measures proposed.

Gordon Buchan, Energy Sector Director

“Knockippen Wind Farm will play a vital part in decarbonising electricity in Scotland. Our design team provided an efficient design that overcame a number of onsite constraints, and our transport planning team identified the offsite works required to deliver the abnormal loads required for the site. We look forward to helping the developer discharge the planning conditions and making a start on the construction phase.“

Tim Mockridge, Project Developer, REG Power

“Pell Frischmann consistently provides excellent technical support on our projects, and I was delighted to have them on the design team. This project had a number of technical challenges which were efficiently overcome, and it is great to see the ECU consenting to the site.“

We look forward to the Knockkippen Wind Farm project making a significant contribution to the UK and Scottish Government’s plans for decarbonising energy production and providing sustainable and modern power to homes and businesses. This adds to the long list of successfully completed projects that Pell Frischmann has delivered across the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe.