Detailed plans for what is said to be one of the first renewable energy parks of its kind in Scotland have been submitted.
St Fergus Energy Ltd are seeking full planning permission for the facility which would take shape on land to the south of the St Fergus Gas Terminal.
The want to erect two wind turbines alongside a solar panel farm and battery storage units but will have to overcome local opposition.
Public consultation events were held in July at which residents complained the turbines were too high, too close to the terminal and posed a safety risk.
At the time, four large turbines were proposed but that element of the scheme has been scaled-down.
St Fergus Energy hope to use the renewable energy park to reduce the carbon footprint of the terminal through the use of clean electricity.
The development will also have the means to store power during times of excess generation within a number of the battery units.
In their planning statement, the developers state: “We have seized the opportunities arising from our ambition to be a world leader in low carbon energy generation, both onshore and offshore.
“In the event of extreme wind speeds, in excess of those that the turbine can operate at, the turbines would shut down until the wind speed has dropped to a level where they can safely start operating again.”
The wind turbines will also have a computerised control system that will monitor the wind direction that will instruct the turbine to turn to face the wind to maximise the amount of energy that is captured.
The proposed site for the development is currently used to cultivate animal feed.
If the development is given the go ahead, it is not believed it will have a significant impact on local wildlife.
The plans will be considered by councillors in the coming months.
