August 23, 2007
Scotland
Scotland
About 90 people turned out for the first in a series of public exhibitions yesterday on proposals for a windfarm.
Plans for the seven 400ft-high turbines at Cushnie, near Alford, were revealed at an exhibition at Cushnie Hall, Lochel-Cushnie.
Cushnie Wind Energy, the company behind the venture, says the windfarm will provide enough electricity to power 5,500 homes and displace more than 26,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
Fraser Mackenzie, project manager at West Coast Energy, which is a consultant to Cushnie Wind Energy on the development, said: “We believe this is a good location for a windfarm as the area has excellent wind speed, straightforward connections to the National Grid and is designated in the local authority strategy as suitable for this type of small-scale development.
“From an original concept, the project has been subject to considerable design input to minimise the environmental impacts. We consider that an appropriately scaled development in this location will provide clean, green energy for a significant number of households and will make an important contribution to Scotland’s target of generating 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.”
West Coast Energy is in the process of carrying out extensive environmental and noise impact assessments, landscape visual assessments and traffic management studies with relevant bodies. The company says it is keen to work with residents and landowners to minimise environmental impacts and disruption.
A further exhibition will take place today at the MacRobert Memorial Hall, Tarland, from 4-8pm. If approved, construction of the windfarm will begin in 2009.
23 August 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/08/23/public-view-plans-for-cushnie-windfarm/