Scottish Ministers Approve ‘Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project – Faray’

Orkney Islands Council has been advised by the Scottish Government today (21 December) that they have approved planning permission for a six-turbine Council owned wind farm on Faray in the North Isles. 

The project is part of the wider Orkney's Community Wind Farm Project, with similar developments also under consideration at Wee Fea in Hoy, and at Quanterness, just outside Kirkwall, both of which received planning approval in December 2021.

A planning application for the Faray project was submitted in June 2021 and subsequently called-in by the Scottish Government, following a request from the Council on the grounds of national significance.

Any decision on whether or not to go ahead with the project will be subject to separate decisions by Council next year. 

Ofgem has conditionally approved a Needs Case for the new cable, requiring 135MW of new projects to trigger the 220MW cable. With the Faray project consented there is just over 135MW of projects currently consented and formal confirmation from OFGEM that the needs case has been met is expected in the coming weeks

Council Leader, James Stockan, said: “We welcome today’s announcement by the Scottish Government who in the planning process have clearly understood the potential economic benefits of ‘Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project’.

"Planning permission for Faray is the final piece in the Orkney's Community Wind Farm Project jigsaw. It's been a long road to get to this point, with some hefty delays outwith our control.  With planning permission now in place and the Needs Case expected to be met, our project team will now be working to bring further reports to elected members on the next steps."