The proposed Hill of Fare Wind Farm, submitted by Renewable Energy Systems (RES), aims to construct up to 16 turbines with tip heights of 180–200 metres, generating approximately 105.6 MW of renewable electricity, alongside a large Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The site lies around 6 km north of Banchory in Aberdeenshire.
Council Objection and Inquiry
Objections and Concerns RaisedA range of environmental and technical concerns were identified during council assessment, including:
As of February 2026:
The Hill of Fare Wind Farm remains undetermined as of February 2026. The project has progressed through consultation, council objection, and a full public inquiry, and is now awaiting the completion of the DPEA reporter’s assessment. A final decision by Scottish Ministers is expected after February 2026, once the report is submitted.
The Community Council will continue monitoring developments and will provide further updates when the Scottish Ministers’ decision becomes available.
- The application was first lodged in November 2023 under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, seeking consent and deemed planning permission for a 50‑year operational period.
- Additional supporting information was submitted by RES in August 2024.
Council Objection and Inquiry
- Aberdeenshire Council formally objected to the proposal in October 2024, triggering a Public Local Inquiry (PLI).
- The PLI was held in September 2025, with extensive evidence sessions, hearings, and written submissions.
Objections and Concerns RaisedA range of environmental and technical concerns were identified during council assessment, including:
- Unacceptable cultural heritage impacts, as identified by Historic Environment Scotland.
- Insufficient information on risks to private water supplies, peat and carbon‑rich soils, and ornithological collision risks, resulting in objections from SEPA and NatureScot.
As of February 2026:
- The case is formally allocated to a reporter within the Scottish Government's Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA).
- As of 13 January 2026, the DPEA confirmed that its target report date of 20 January 2026 will not be met, citing ongoing work. The reporter now expects to submit findings to Scottish Ministers by the end of February 2026.
- Scottish Ministers will ultimately make the final determination once the reporter's recommendations are received.
The Hill of Fare Wind Farm remains undetermined as of February 2026. The project has progressed through consultation, council objection, and a full public inquiry, and is now awaiting the completion of the DPEA reporter’s assessment. A final decision by Scottish Ministers is expected after February 2026, once the report is submitted.
The Community Council will continue monitoring developments and will provide further updates when the Scottish Ministers’ decision becomes available.
Hill of Fare Windfarm Proposal - Planning application now live!
Submit your opinion to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit
The application for a windfarm on the Hill of Fare has been formally lodged with the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) in Edinburgh.
Based on the feedback we gathered previously, the majority of our community and the residents of 5 other community councils around the Hill of Fare object to this proposal.
As a result of that feedback we are encouraging residents to have their say and write an email or letter, giving your reasons for the objection to the ECU by 12th January 2024.
Contact details for ECU:
Email - [email protected]
Post - Energy Consents Unit, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielow, Glasgow, G2 8LU
Website: www.energyconsents.scot
Please note there are a few administrative points to include;
The project name must identified in any representation. It is - HILL OF FARE ECU 00004592.
They should also be dated and state the name and return email or postal address of those making comments.
More details can be found in the images, including dates and times of public events which we encourage you all to attend.
Please copy our local councillors, MP and MSP in to your representation to the ECU so they know the thoughts of our community. Email addresses noted below.
Local Councillors:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
MP:
[email protected]
MSP:
[email protected]
Based on the feedback we gathered previously, the majority of our community and the residents of 5 other community councils around the Hill of Fare object to this proposal.
As a result of that feedback we are encouraging residents to have their say and write an email or letter, giving your reasons for the objection to the ECU by 12th January 2024.
Contact details for ECU:
Email - [email protected]
Post - Energy Consents Unit, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielow, Glasgow, G2 8LU
Website: www.energyconsents.scot
Please note there are a few administrative points to include;
The project name must identified in any representation. It is - HILL OF FARE ECU 00004592.
They should also be dated and state the name and return email or postal address of those making comments.
More details can be found in the images, including dates and times of public events which we encourage you all to attend.
Please copy our local councillors, MP and MSP in to your representation to the ECU so they know the thoughts of our community. Email addresses noted below.
Local Councillors:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
MP:
[email protected]
MSP:
[email protected]
