New Wind Power Projects Approved for Scotland

Scottish ministers have approved two wind farm projects that together could provide power more than 100,000 homes. One is a 54 turbine extension to the existing SSE Clyde wind farm in South Lanarkshire:

Clyde Wind Farm 300x1991 New Wind Power Projects Approved for Scotland

The extension to the Clyde wind farm, which is located to the east of Abington, will generate up to an additional 171MW, enough to power more than 76,000 homes. This will bring the total generating capacity of the wind farm to 512MW. Ministers said the extension would produce carbon savings estimated at 189,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. It would also contribute about £20m in community benefits over its 25-year operating period, in addition to the £33m estimated for the existing wind farm.

The other project is a new 23-turbine farm at Dersalloch Hill in South Ayrshire, proposed by ScottishPower Renewables:

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Dersalloch Hill

This new wind farm will have a maximum generating capacity of 69MW, enough to power the equivalent of about 32,500 homes. The wind farm would create about 120 temporary jobs during construction and the Scottish Government says it will deliver a community benefits package worth more than £8.5m over 25 years.

ScottishPower Renewables UK Managing Director Simon Christian said:

“Dersalloch has always had the potential to be a significant renewable energy project. We have overcome a number of obstacles, negotiating on a wide range of technical and environmental issues and we look forward now to starting construction at Dersalloch later this year.”

The Scottish government,one of the most pro-wind power Governments in Europe, said that the two projects would deliver community benefits of more than £28m over 25 years. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing (pictured below)  said:

“These two wind farms will create jobs both in their construction and during their lifetimeOnce they are up and running, the wind farms will save thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and will be able to produce enough electricity to power thousands of homes. The community packages that have been offered by both these developers will bring considerable benefits to the local communities.”

UK Energy Minister Fergus Ewing Visits GE Oil Gas Facility in Aberdeen 300x2031 New Wind Power Projects Approved for Scotland

What about concerns for wildlife? The Royal Society for the Protection of Boards (RSPB) Scotland welcomed the approval of the schemes. The RSPB Scotland Head of planning and development Aedan Smith said:

“There are a number of challenges to resolve on these sites to ensure that they can be built and operated without harming wildlife. However, with careful planning and a significant commitment and effort from the developers toward habitat management, it will be possible for these sites to generate much needed renewable energy and result in some benefit for wildlife.”

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Clyde Wind Farm