December 21, 2012
Scotland

Windfarm company tells of Twynholm plan

Dec 20 2012 by Stuart Gillespie, Galloway News | www.dgstandard.co.uk

A windfarm company are pushing ahead with plans for a development near Twynholm.

Banks Renewables are planning to build up to 10 turbines at Knockendurrick and they recently applied for permission to install a wind speed measuring mast.

The firm intend to consult with local communities including Borgue, Castle Douglas, Gatehouseof Fleet, Kelton, Kirkcudbright, Tongland and Twynholm.

Banks Renewables director Colin Anderson said: “Our development with care approach is central to everything we do. That means working closely with and consulting local communities at every stage to keep them informed about the plans.

“If we earn permission to build this wind farm, we’ll be part of this community for the next 25 years at least, so we will be striving to make sure we deliver a lasting and positive legacy for the area.

“However, we are at the very beginning of the process and our objective is to get feedback from the communities on our partnership proposal.

“We would be delighted if the communities around Knockendurrick take up our offer of partnership working and are prepared to getdirectly involved in shaping their communities for the better.

“The Banks team has embarked on the first series of meetings with these communities to gauge interest in the idea of a community wind farm partnership. Such a partnership would see communities earn a share of windfarm revenues, with anoption to buy equity.”

Representatives of Banks outlined their plans to Kirkcudbright Community Council last week. Development relations coordinatorCallum Whiteford said they were keen to create a liaison forum so they could address any issues.

But talk of a community benefit fund thatthe company plan to create caused somecontroversy.

Community councillor Lindsay Forbes said: “Everyone is paying for this through theirelectricity accounts, so why not give people arebate?”

Project manager Doug Riddell said: “We’ll take away your question and see if we can geta technical answer.”

Banks Renewables say that if successful, the scheme could generate as much as 34MW – enough energy to power up to 19,000 homes a year.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/12/21/windfarm-company-tells-of-twynholm-plan/