Consent granted for new Highland wind farm

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has today given consent for the construction of a 22 turbine wind farm in the Highlands.

The Creag Riabhach wind farm will be located on the Altnaharra Estate, near Lairg, in the North Highlands.

The wind farm will have a generating capacity of 72.6MW, enough to power 36,000 homes, with estimated savings of 66,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The proposed development is anticipated to provide in excess of £9 million in community benefit.

The proposal received widespread support from the public and local community council who emphasised the suitability of the location and highlighted the benefits to the local economy. The Highland Council was consulted on the application and raised no objection.

Mr Wheelhouse said:

“Renewable energy sources accounted for over 56.7% of gross electricity consumption in Scotland in 2015, and onshore wind is a key driver for the growth in both our renewable electricity supply and wider renewable energy sector and in the delivery of our vision for a greener Scotland and statutory climate change targets by enabling decarbonisation of electricity production.

“This proposal for Creag Riabhach received popular support from the local community council and public alike and, once operational, the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power 36,000 homes and generate over £9 million in benefits for the local community.”