Scottish Government
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Wind farm to provide energy for 50,900 homes
Highlands wind farm development approved
The Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has recently granted planning consent for a proposed wind farm near Invermoriston in the Highlands.
The Bhlaraidh wind farm, which will be developed by SSE Generation Limited, is to have 32 turbines with a generating capacity of up to 108MW. The farm, located 4km north-west of Invermoriston, could power the equivalent of approximately 50,900 homes in the area.
A significant number of jobs will be created during the construction phase, which will cost an estimated £166.3 million. The ongoing operations and maintenance of the project is expected to support the equivalent of 60 jobs in Scotland, more than half of which will be based in the Highlands.
The project will provide approximately £13 million over 25 years for community benefit projects, including a sustainable energy fund and skills and training initiatives.
In addition, the developer SSE is working with partners on a development initiative for the Great Glen (DIGG), the overall aim of which is to maximise the social, economic and community benefits of renewable energy investment in the Great Glen over the coming decade.
Mr Ewing said: “The Bhlaraidh wind farm will create jobs both in its construction and during its lifetime, and once up and running will save thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. With this wind farm we will now be able to produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 50,900 homes.
“Wind farms like this provide considerable benefits to their local community, and play an important part in helping Scotland reach its target of the equivalent of 100 per cent of electricity demand generated from renewables.
"The Scottish Government wants to see the right developments in the right places, and Scottish planning policy is clear that the design and location of any wind farm should reflect the scale and character of the landscape, as well as being considered environmentally acceptable.”
Notes to editors
- The Scottish Government has determined 89 energy applications, including consent for 60 renewable applications: 34 onshore wind, 1 offshore wind, 19 hydro, 4 wave and tidal and 2 Renewable Thermal Plant; and 19 non-renewable projects since May 2007. The Scottish Government has previously rejected 10 energy applications since May 2007, all of which were onshore wind farms.
- The Scottish Government’s Energy Consents and Deployment Unit is currently considering another 56 applications of >50MW capacity generating stations, including 52 onshore wind applications, 1 renewable hydro application, 1 non-renewable hydro applications, 2 renewable thermal applications. In addition to this there are 13 active applications for overhead lines, and 1 application for a Water Rights Order associated with a hydro development.
