Notice is hereby given that RWE Renewables UK Onshore Wind Ltd, company registration number 03758407, Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 6PB has applied to the Scottish Ministers to vary the section 36 consent to construct and operate the Golticlay Wind Farm at Lybster, Caithness (Central Grid Reference X 322266 Y 940687) previously consented on 24th March 2021 by the Scottish Ministers (“the variation application”).

The variation application seeks to make the following variations:

• A reduction in the total number of turbines from 19 to 13 (removal of T6, T8, T9, T10, T15 and T19);

• Re-locate three turbines (T4, T14 and T18) by approximately 75 m, with the exception of T4 which will be moved further to avoid an area of deeper peat;

• An increased maximum tip height of 11 turbines from 130 metres (m) to a maximum of 200 m

• An increased maximum tip height of 2 turbines from 130 metres (m) to a maximum of 180 m (T3 and T4);

• An increase in the operational lifetime from 25 years to 35 years;

• An increase in micrositing allowance on all proposed infrastructure from 50 m to 100 m;

• A 2.5 km increase in length of new access track from 5.6 km to 8.1 km, including a 1.2 km increase in floating track length;

• A decrease of 0.28 km in upgrades to existing track from 4.28 km to 4 km;

• Relocation of substation and control building 270 m north east to National Grid Reference: ND 21637 39475 from to National Grid Reference: ND 21657 39454;

• Relocation of concrete batching plant from the Consented construction compound area to National Grid Reference: ND 21371 40304;

• A decrease of the total volume of stone aggregate material required from 95,786 m³ to 86,560 m³; and

• A scheme of aviation lighting, including medium intensity (2000 candela) red lights fitted to the nacelle of turbines T1, T3, T4, T5, T11, T16 and T18

The variation application also requests that a direction be made by the Scottish Ministers under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 that planning permission for the development be deemed to be granted.

A copy of the variation application a plan showing the land to which it relates and copies of associated environmental reports, presenting an analysis of the environmental implications, are available for public inspection in person, free of charge, during normal office hours at:

A summary of the variation application, a copy of the variation application, a link to the original section 36 consent decision letter and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) prepared in relation to the proposed varied Development can be viewed at www.rwe.com/golticlay and at www.energyconsents.scot

Copies of the variation application and environmental reports may be obtained from Cavendish Consulting 0131 376 0893 at a charge of £500 per hard copy and free on USB. Copies of a non-technical summary are available free of charge.

Any representations to the application may be submitted via the Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot/Register.aspx or by email to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at representations@gov.scot or alternatively by post to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation.

Written or emailed representations should be dated, clearly stating the name (in block capitals), full return email and postal address of those making representations. Only representations sent by email to the address stipulated will receive acknowledgement.

All representations should be received not later than 3rd December 2023, although the Scottish Ministers may consider representations received after this date.

Should additional substantive information be made available in relation to this application, then further public notices will give advice on how this information may be viewed by members of the public, and how representations may be made to the Scottish Ministers.

Where the Scottish Ministers decide to exercise their discretion to do so, the Scottish Ministers may cause a Public Inquiry to be held.

Following receipt of all views and representations, the Scottish Ministers will determine the application for consent in one of two ways:

• Consent the proposal, with or without conditions attached; or

• Reject the proposal.

General Data Protection Regulations

The Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit processes consent applications and consultation representations under the Electricity Act 1989. During the process, to support transparency in decision making, the Scottish Government publishes online at www.energyconsents.scot. A privacy notice is published on the help page at www.energyconsents.scot. This explains how the Energy Consents Unit processes your personal information. If you have any concerns about how your personal data is handled, please email Econsents_admin@gov.scot.