April 30, 2013
Scotland

Tolsta wind farm application submitted

Stornoway Gazette | 30 April 2013 | www.stornowaygazette.co.ukStornoway Gazette | 30 April 2013 | www.stornowaygazette.co.uk

Energy company 2020 Renewables Ltd have today submitted an application for a wind farm to the West of Tolsta to the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

The application is to build the 42 Megawatt Druim Leathann Windfarm and if approved the development will generate sufficient electricity to power approximately 24,000 homes every year.

The application has been submitted after substantial consultation with the local community including the local Grazings Committees and the Stornoway Trust. 2020 Renewables are proposing significant community benefit that is estimated to be worth £294,000 per year to the local community and £7 million over the lifetime of the wind farm. This equates to £7,000 per MW.

Consultation with the local community has also included work on the environmental and economic impact. The wind farm is expected to involve investment of £63 million in the Lewis economy and 70 jobs during construction as well as a number of full time jobs once the development is fully operational. It will also make a significant contribution to the Scottish and UK Government’s renewable targets.

2020 Renewables Ltd is a renewable energy developer with considerable experience in developing, constructing and operating onshore wind projects.

Speaking after the application was submitted Development Director Alasdair MacLeod said: “If approved this project will offer significant benefits to the community in Tolsta and across the Outer Hebrides. We have consulted widely with the local community and put in place a package of some of the most generous community benefits anywhere in Scotland. That will deliver £7 million over the course of the project.

“The project will also provide a boost to the local economy. Up to 70 jobs will be provided over the construction phase of the project with a significant percentage of those being recruited from the local community. Very importantly, the project will also contribute to the socio-economic case for the proposed interconnector to the mainland.”

He added: “The Outer Hebrides has a massive clean green energy potential. Our project will help deliver jobs and investment to these islands as well making a contribution to the Scottish and UK Governments renewable energy targets.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/30/tolsta-wind-farm-application-submitted/