September 22, 2011
Scotland

Proposed 30-turbine wind farm for Upper Nithsdale

by Jackie Grant, Dumfries Standard Wednesday, www.dgstandard.co.uk 21 September 2011

A 30-turbine wind farm could be in the pipeline for Upper Nithsdale.

Dunfermline-based Burcote Wind announced proposals for the development yesterday on land five kilometres south-west of Kirkconnel.

The company claims the Sandy Knowe wind farm plans could generate a community benefit fund worth £225,000 per year or £5.6 million over its 25-year lifetime to support local community projects.

Burcote Wind will not submit a planning application until mid 2012 at the earliest. In the meantime the company has plans to undertake an extensive programme of engagement with the local community about its proposals. As part of this process, Burcote will host a series of public exhibitions and intends to set up a dedicated project website providing detailed information and regular updates about the project.

Burcote Wind chairman Graham Brown said: “Our proposals for a wind farm at Sandy Knowe have the potential to make a major contribution to meeting the future energy needs of Dumfries and Galloway and Scotland as a whole with a supply of clean, green electricity that will also help tackle climate change by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

“But we also understand how sensitive wind farm proposals can be. This is why we are keen to engage with the local community at such an early stage of the process, giving local groups and individuals ample opportunity to help shape our proposals for the site.

“Over the coming months we look forward to engaging extensively with the local community around the Sandy Knowe wind farm site. I would encourage anyone with an interest in the project to get involved in the community engagement process and help us to develop a balanced proposal that provides genuine benefits for the local area.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/22/proposed-30-turbine-wind-farm-for-upper-nithsdale/