Businessmen back wind farm
Credit: John O'Groat Journal, www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk 22 January 2010
Two prominent local businessmen have given their support to a wind farm development in Caithness which will see 30 jobs created during its construction.
A number of further maintenance and permanent operations workers will be needed after Baillie wind farm’s completion.
Hugh Simpson, of Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd, which has harbour bases at Wick and Scrabster, and John Sutherland, of Caithness Stone Industries, which operates four quarries in the North, have spoken of the boost the £80 million scheme will bring.
Mr Simpson said: “As a company which has considerable expertise of undertaking specialist lifting for wind turbines and general plant hire, there is the potential for firms such as ours to benefit from wind farm development.
“The resulting creation of local jobs for local people can only be seen as a good thing.”
Mr Sutherland said: “We are the closest quarry to the wind-farm site. Much of the waste we create from stone quarrying can be used to build the foundations for the wind turbines as well as improving the road infrastructure.
“Providing opportunities for local businesses and putting money back into the local economy is a good thing for the whole community.”
The controversial 21-turbine Baillie wind farm, which will be established at Bardnaheigh Farm, west of Thurso, was given the go-ahead by Scottish ministers earlier this month. The developers say it will generate 52.5MW of renewable energy, creating enough power to supply almost 25,000 homes.
The development will also bring over £100,000 per year to a west Caithness community fund, support local projects and provide five local businesses with rental income.
Local firms, including those dealing in construction, quarrying and haulage, will also potentially benefit from the development of the wind farm, generating further jobs.
The director of Baillie Wind Farm Ltd, Tom Pottinger, said: “It is great to have the support of key local businesses. These are the firms who could benefit from wind farm development, creating jobs and generating wealth locally. And the delivery of a community benefit fund also has the potential to substantially regenerate the local area.”
However, the scheme has not been universally welcomed.
Just last week local Landward Caithness councillor Robert Coghill compared the Scottish Government to “a modern-day Patrick Sellar” over its decision to grant approval for the development.
The Scottish Government reporter gave the go-ahead to the plan after it had been turned down by the Highland Council.
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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