Scottish government energy minister Fergus Ewing granted consent today (17 January) for the Bhlaraidh wind farm which will have 32 turbines capable of generating up to 108MW, enough to power the equivalent of over 50,000 homes.
The Scottish Government says a 'significant' number of jobs will be created during construction, and 60 permanent jobs. Community based projects will be backed by £13 million over 25 years as part of the planning agreement, including a sustainable energy fund and skills and training initiatives.
Developer SSE is also working with partners on a renewable energy development initiative for the Great Glen over the coming decade.
Mr Ewing said: “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.”
The Scottish Government has given consent for 60 renewable developments since May 2007, including 34 onshore wind, one offshore wind, 19 hydro, four wave and tidal schemes and two renewable thermal plants.
Its Energy Consents and Deployment Unit is currently considering another 56 applications for generating stations with capacities of over 50MW each, including 52 onshore wind developments, one non renewable hydro scheme, two renewable thermal schemes. There are also 13 active applications for overhead lines and one for a Water Rights Order associated with a hydro scheme.
Photo: Richard Smith/Gocarts
