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Details of a novel three year project to enhance the energy assessment and revenue forecasting for the proposed Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm 15km off the Angus coast in the East of Scotland demonstrates significant benefits of adopting bespoke technology to gather data. A ZephIR wind Lidar system was installed on an existing lighthouse structure thanks to a custom-built solution developed by SgurrEnergy (now Wood). This innovative solution not only negated the need for an independent offshore structure but the Lidar also took a comprehensive data set at heights from its installed location up to the projected turbine height, required no servicing and reported no major faults for the duration of the project. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Northern Lighthouse Board.

The ZephIR wind Lidar, attached to the world’s oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse at Bell Rock in Scotland, achieved up to 95% data availability and conducted measurements remotely at heights of more than 180m above the sea during the 3 years of detailed wind direction and wind velocity measurements. These data sets were taken to complement the wind data from an offshore met mast. At the end of the campaign the Lidar and supporting structure were removed with no trace left on the historic lighthouse.

Matt Smith, Offshore Expert at ZephIR Lidar, said: “At ZephIR Lidar, we understand that no deployment is the same and we provide the very best solution and customer service for every unique case. Seeing a ZephIR wind Lidar mounted on a heritage piece of infrastructure like Bell Rock lighthouse was a great experience! We thoroughly enjoyed working with Inch Cape Offshore Limited to get the best wind measurements possible with this a one-of-a-kind solution.”

Pre- and post-deployment validations of the ZephIR wind Lidar were conducted against a 91m IEC compliant mast at the UK Remote Sensing Test Site. From analysis of the results there were no significant changes observed in the Lidar’s performance during the 3 ½ years, with absolute performance fitting well within the industry standard (IEC) requirement for accuracy on wind speed for a first class, calibrated, well-mounted cup anemometer.

John Reddish, Technical Manager, Inch Cape Offshore Limited said: “The ability to set up the Lidar system quickly and take wind measurements without the need for any additional infrastructure brought huge benefits to the project in terms of reducing costs, improving efficiency and staying on schedule.”

John added: “The harsh Scottish coastal climate naturally brings challenges to overcome and we had the additional challenge of protecting the heritage of the Bell Rock lighthouse. Thanks to its small, compact size and robust design, ZephIR’s wind Lidar provided non-intrusive technology that was resistant to the adverse effects of the environment and as a result, helped us gather the necessary data without the need for servicing or delays due to repairs.”

In recent weeks following the Scottish Government’s decision to call-in ICOL’s onshore application for planning permission in principle, the project team has continued to engage with the local community. As well as meeting with the East Lothian Council, the team have also met with both Prestonpans and Port Seton & Cockenzie Community Councils, and local MSPs to discuss how best to work together moving forward to achieve best use of the land at the former Cockenzie Power Station.

ICOL believes there is enough room for multiple developments on the site and has been actively looking at how to reduce the footprint of the proposed transmission works to ensure the adjacent land would be both available and viable for other developments. Feasibility studies regarding the changing size and design of the transmission works’ footprint, which would remain within the red-line boundary, are ongoing and pre-date the call-in and the most recent calls for a further change in location.

If found viable, these potential changes to the footprint would be outlined in detail in the next stage of planning should the project be granted planning permission in principle, during which ICOL would consult further with the local community.

Ian Johnson, ICOL Project Manager, said: “We have met with East Lothian Council and local political stakeholders to express our ongoing commitment and interest in working together moving forward to achieve what is best for the site. We believe there is enough room for multiple developments on the former Cockenzie Power Station site. Following initial feedback from the local community during the consultation phase, we have been actively looking at how to reduce the footprint of the transmission works to ensure adjacent land is available and viable for other plans.

“We look forward to working with East Lothian Council and the local community to ensure development opportunities are maximised for all.”

The Scottish Government has called-in Inch Cape Offshore Limited’s application for planning permission in principle for onshore components of the wind farm development. The proposal and supporting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which were submitted to East Lothian Council in early March, will now be assessed by planning ministers before a decision on whether permission is granted is confirmed.

This process often takes place for developments of national importance and requires a slightly different decision-making process however the views of the public and other stakeholders, such as East Lothian Council, will remain central to the decision-making process. ICOL encourages all interested parties to continue to contribute to this process.

Ian Johnson, ICOL Project Manager, said: “As the Inch Cape Offshore Wind project is of national significance, our new application for planning permission in principle has been ‘called-in’ by the Scottish Government. This is not uncommon for a project with such national economic and environmental importance. We hope to continue to engage with the local community and East Lothian Council, to listen to any feedback and concerns they may have, as they contribute to the decision-making process in coming months.

“If successful, the project will help achieve the Scottish Government’s goals to minimise our reliance on carbon energy but also act as a positive catalyst in the local area as it continues to go through a period of change following the closure of the power station. By working with the local community and relevant stakeholders we believe we can ensure these goals and benefits are realised.”

Inch Cape Offshore Limited has submitted a new application for planning permission in principle for onshore components of its offshore wind farm development, proposed at the former Cockenzie Power Station site. The application and supporting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is now available at various locations across the local community for members of the public to review and consult with East Lothian Council.

The project was previously granted planning permission in principle in 2014. Following feedback on the initial application the team have spent the last year consulting with members of the public on a new location. If the application in principle is consented a more detailed planning application will be submitted in due course.

The application and EIA addresses the construction, operation and decommissioning of an onshore substation, electricity cables and associated infrastructure required for the transmission of electricity from the proposed wind farm off the Angus coast. The EIA report did not identify any potentially significant residual effects (in terms of the EIA Regulations) on any environmental or human receptors during these stages of the OnTW other than minimal impacts to landscape and visuals which will reduce over time.

Ian Johnson, ICOL Project Manager said: “We have taken on board the local community’s feedback on the originally proposed site and therefore proposed a new location for the onshore components of the project in this new application. We have made every effort to study potential impacts to the local communities and the environment. We will continue to listen to the public’s feedback and concerns in coming months.

“This project is of national economic and environmental value. Not only will it help the Scottish Government make significant strides in its efforts to achieving carbon free energy, it will act as a positive catalyst in the local area as it continues to go through a period of change following the closure of the power station. By working with the local community and relevant stakeholders we believe we can ensure these goals and benefits are realised.”