Wind farm decisions

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown has today granted planning consent for a new 18-turbine wind farm in Cloich Forest, which will generate up to £6 million in community benefit funding near Peebles in the Scottish Borders.

He has also approved the 24-turbine Stranoch wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway, which will power the equivalent of around 34,959 homes.

Meanwhile, Minister for Local Government and Housing Kevin Stewart has refused the planning appeal on Hag Law wind farm near Ramanno Bridge, also in the Scottish Borders.

The completed Cloich wind farm will power the equivalent of almost 26,968 homes. It will be developed by Cloich Wind Farm LLP, which is wholly owned by Partnerships for Renewables and will have a generating capacity around 54MW.

Stranoch will be developed by Wind Prospects Developments 2 Ltd and will have a generating capacity around 72MW.

The Cabinet Secretary agreed with the findings of the Public Local Inquiry Reporters to grant consent in both cases.

Mr Brown said:

“Once the Cloich wind farm is operational it will generate £6 million for local people and community groups while producing enough electricity to power almost 26,968 homes. When complete, the development at Stranoch will power the equivalent of around 34,959 homes and both wind farms will provide a boost to their local economies, creating jobs and supporting local suppliers.

“Renewable energy sources generated more than 57% of gross electricity consumption in Scotland in 2015. The growth of onshore wind in recent years has been the key factor in the expansion of renewable energy in Scotland: creating jobs, providing secure and low-carbon energy and delivering significant community benefits.”