SSE Renewables has awarded highland-based civil contractor RJ McLeod with the £5.5million contract to carry out the ‘enabling works’ at its Dunmaglass wind farm which lies approximately 25km south of Inverness on Dunmaglass Estate.
The 33-turbine Dunmaglass project received planning consent in December 2010 and the enabling works are essential to prepare the site for the main construction works which are scheduled to begin next spring. Once constructed, the project will have an installed capacity of 94.059MW.
SSE Project Manager, Jamie Meneely, said: “This is an important step forward in preparing for the main construction works next year, and we have set up regular liaison meetings for the local community to keep them up to date with the project as it progresses. We expect further opportunities for local businesses will arise during this phase.
“Ahead of the works starting, we held a local information day which featured our new Highlands and Islands Open4Business web portal at www.sseopen4business-highlands.com, and we will do the same ahead of the main construction works beginning next year. These events help to raise awareness of the sorts of skills and services that we’ll be looking for during construction and the opportunities available to local businesses to get involved with the project.”
RJ McLeod’s Business Development Manager, Jamie Corsar, said: “We are delighted to be associated with SSE Renewables during this phase of the construction of Dunmaglass wind farm. This is our eighth wind farm project with SSE from a portfolio of more than fifty wind farms throughout Scotland. The project represents an important part of our workload but we understand the importance of working in harmony with the local community and have a proven track record of employing local people and providing opportunities for the local supply chain. We are an active participant in SSE’s recently launched Open4Business portal which provides an opportunity for local suppliers to compete for business on this and other highland projects.”
Over the last couple of weeks a site compound for these works has been set up near to the site entrance at Dunmaglass Mains. The delivery of plant and equipment to site has commenced and plant and equipment has been delivered to the site and the enabling works are underway. The scope of work for the enabling works contract comprises of Ttwo timber deck bridgestemporary bridges will be installed as part of the enabling works and a new platform constructed for the on-site substation., upgrade 9km of existing track with associated drainage works, construction of main works site compound and development of the on site rock borrow pit. To support this activity some on-site road works will also be undertaken and a borrow pit opened to obtain rock