The Proposed Development

The Proposed Development comprises around 138 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy generation and energy storage output capacity, encompassing:

• approximately 30 MW of solar energy generation, comprising photovoltaic modules up to 3.5 metres in height and associated infrastructure
• approximately 50 MW of Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) with a minimum of 8-hours discharge duration; and
• approximately 58 MW of wind energy, comprising 8 wind turbines with a ground to blade tip height of up to 200 metres for 6 of the turbines and up to 180m for the remaining 2 turbines (Turbine 2 and Turbine 4), alongside associated infrastructure.

The Proposed Development is anticipated to have an operational life of 40 years.

Access to the Proposed Development site will principally be taken from Junction 11 of the M74 motorway, via an existing private haul road through the operational Douglas West Wind Farm site. All abnormal load and HGV construction traffic will utilise this access direct from Junction 11 of the M74. It is proposed that light vehicle access would also be possible from Station Road at the southern edge of Douglas, which forms an existing access to the operational Hagshaw Hill Wind Farms. Use of that access would be limited to cars, vans and Light Goods Vehicles only and no Heavy Goods Vehicles would use it. This will enable use of the local shops and cafes in Douglas at lunchtime by site staff.

Hagshaw Hill III would neighbour the existing Hagshaw Hill and Douglas West wind farms and have the same maximum blade tip height of 200 metres as those currently being constructed within the Hagshaw Cluster.

The proposals also include for solar panels and LDES, to complement the wind generation and ensure electricity production even when the wind isn’t blowing and forms a core part of the UK Governments’ Net Zero 2030 target. These sites are essential to the green energy transition as they help create a more stable and reliable electricity grid by storing the surplus renewable energy produced by the wind turbines and solar panels and delivering it back to the grid when it is needed most.

At Hagshaw Hill III, we are proposing to use a network of flow batteries, the same technology as proposed for our Hagshaw LDES proposal, a type of LDES technology known for its safety, durability, and efficiency. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries use a water based, non-flammable electrolyte. The LDES at Hagshaw Hill III would be capable of discharging around 50 MW of electricity over a period of up to 12 hours, which is enough electricity to power approximately 130,000 homes for a continuous period of up to 12 hours.

Community Benefits

Based on the current layout, the Proposed Development would generate a community benefit contribution of around £293,000 per year (index-linked) or £11.72 million over its lifetime of 40 years.

There are a number of core paths running within and close to the development site. The Proposed Development would contribute to the enhancement of the outdoor recreation offering in the local area through the upgrading of existing and creation of new tracks within the site boundary which will be able to be used for activities such as walking, running, and mountain biking. These access improvements can be linked with the wider recreation initiative being taken forward by the Hagshaw Energy Cluster Development Framework to help establish a local tourism identity, attract visitors, and create employment opportunities for the local communities, transforming the former mining landscape into a vibrant destination.

3R Energy are keen to hear the communities’ ideas on how the revenue from the project could be used to enhance the local area and deliver projects that provide lasting benefit.

Consultation

The application for the Proposed Development was submitted under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit (ECU) in July 2026, seeking consent for the Hagshaw Hill III Energy Project.

Anyone wishing to make formal representations should do so by contacting the ECU on their website, quoting the application reference ECU00006224. Full contact details are available on www.energyconsents.scot

A full copy of the Section 36 Planning Application can be viewed here or by clicking on the downloads link below.