WIREDGOV

Ministers yesterday granted consent for a windfarm at Harestanes, capable of generating power for around 120,000 homes.

The windfarm, near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, will generate 213 Megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Ministers have today refused consent for windfarm applications at Clashindarroch near Huntly (129 MW) and Calliacher near Aberfeldy (62 MW).

Clashindarroch would have potentially harmful impacts on Deveron Valley landscape.

Calliacher would have an unacceptable visual impact on Glen Quaich and on Loch Freuchie. However, the reporter indicated that the project would be acceptable if reduced below 50MW. As Ministers do not have powers under the Electricity Act to consent below 50MW, the developer could pursue the application via a planning application to the local authority.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said:

"Scotland has a vast potential to generate electricity from renewable energy. The evidence being that at the moment, the combined generation potential of the renewable energy projects currently with Scottish Ministers amounts to up to six gigawatts of electricity.

"Meanwhile this Government is building an energy strategy which will include the whole renewable mix - from biomass to the energy we can generate from waves and tides.

"While we cannot have onshore windfarms anywhere or at any price to the environment, it is clear that onshore wind will continue to play a crucial role over the next few years. The proposal at Harestanes will provide enough power for 120,000 homes - another step to fulfilling our green energy potential."

HARESTANES

• In March 2004, CRE Energy applied for consent to construct and operate a wind farm at Harestanes, south west of Moffat, in Dumfries and Galloway, comprising 71 turbines

• A public local inquiry was held in June 2006

• Ministers agree with the Reporter and have granted consent subject to conditions

CLASHINDARROCH

• In July 2003, Amec applied for consent to construct a wind farm at Clashindarroch near Huntly. The proposal was for 47 turbines (later reduced to 40) with a generating capacity of 129MW

• A public local inquiry was held in May 2006

• Ministers accept the Reporter's findings of fact, recommendations and conclusions and have refused consent on the grounds of potentially harmful landscape, visual and residential amenity effects in the Deveron Valley

CALLIACHER

• In February 2004, I & H Brown applied for consent to construct a wind farm comprising 46 turbines at Calliacher near Aberfeldy. Following statutory consultation, the development proposal was reduced to 27 turbines with a generating capacity of 62.1 MW
• A public inquiry was held between September 12 and October 19 2006
• Ministers accept the Reporter's findings of fact, conclusions and recommendations and conclude the proposals would not be in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Perth and Kinross Development Plan and that there would be an unacceptable visual impact on Glen Quaich and on Loch Freuchie
• As Ministers do not have powers to consent under the Electricity Act below 50MW, the developer could pursue the application via a planning application to the local authority

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Energy-Consents