Shinness Wind Farm
Project background
In 2015, the chair of Shinness Grazings contacted Ron Shanks to find out if there was potential for the development of a wind farm on a high-level site to the West of Shinness. The land identified was in the ownership of the Fletcher family who operate the Shinness Estate over which Shinness Grazings have crofting rights.
An assessment of the site concluded that the site could have potential subject to a series of further detailed examinations.
Contact was established with the landowner, who was supportive of the community led initiative. This, in turn, led to the establishment of Shinness Wind Farm Limited (SWFL) as ‘the applicant’ for the purpose of developing, constructing and operating a wind farm on part of the Shinness Estate. Legal agreements have been drawn up between the interested parties to allow the Proposed Development to progress.
About Shinness Wind Farm Limited
Shinness Wind Farm Limited was established on 28 April 2018 to promote, develop, construct and operate a wind farm on the Shinness Estate at West Shinness, near Lairg in central Sutherland, Scotland. The company is private and is registered in Scotland as number SC271084.
The shareholding is owned by several individuals, including Ron Shanks and Tim Philpot, who together promoted and developed the Creag Riabhach Wind Farm nearby. Christopher Fletcher of Shinness Estate is a private shareholder and Shinness Grazings is the shareholder representing the local crofters who have crofting rights on the land.
The opportunity for community ownership was also extended to all households in the Shinness local area; 18% of local residents have taken the opportunity to have a stake in the company. As a result, 15% of the company is locally owned.