Loch Toftingall Spittal

Understanding the Loch Toftingall energy storage project

Originally, a two-turbine wind energy development was proposed at Loch of Toftingall near Spittal in Caithness. The development site is located in a commercial forestry plantation to the west of Loch of Toftingall and directly north of the operational Halsary Wind Farm, adjacent to the A9, just south of Spittal in Caithness. The Highland Council is the Planning Authority for this proposed development.

Initially, turbine tip heights of up to 149.9 metres were being proposed with an installed capacity of up to 7.2 Megawatts (MW). In addition, a 40MW Battery Energy Storage Facility was to be located in the south western part of the site.

• Following the first round of public consultation however, the proposal was revised, removing the two turbines and increasing the capacity of the energy storage facility to 49.9MW.

Enhancing renewable energy integration into the grid

This facility would be able to take renewable electricity from the network, store it, and then feed it back when it it is most needed, thereby making the electricity system more efficient and flexible.

Land required within the site that is currently plantation will be felled and over a period of years and carefully restored to peatland.  This is effectively the same restoration proposal as within the neighbouring Halsary wind farm site.  The peatland restoration proposals will provide important biodiversity enhancement.

Environmental, technical and commercial considerations throughout the assessment process informed the the design of the Battery Energy Storage Facility.

• The planning application was submitted in October 2023 and was approved on 29 October 2024.