July 17, 2014
Scotland

Firm says ‘warm welcome’ has paved way for Little Raith Windfarm expansion plans

By Leeza Clark | The Courier | 16 July 2014 | www.thecourier.co.uk

Plans have been submitted to extend Little Raith Windfarm.

Kennedy Renewables, which owns and operates the windfarm near Mossmorran, wants to add another six turbines to the nine which have operated there since November 2012.

The windfarm reportedly produces enough electricity to power 14,500 homes each year.

The six proposed turbines would be 415ft to tip height, comparable in scale to those already there.

After announcing extension plans last year, Kennedy Renewables held consultations including public exhibitions and community liaison forum meetings.

Ahead of these public exhibitions, the company took the decision to remove a proposed seventh turbine which would have been closer to Auchtertool.

It was removed after a review showed it appeared isolated compared to the rest of the scheme.

The application includes proposals to build an education and visitor centre at Little Raith Windfarm, which will allow schools, colleges, universities and community groups to visit and learn more about Fife’s first commercial windfarm and how it operates.

This will be funded entirely by Kennedy which will employ a community engagement manager.

The existing windfarm pays £49,500 a year to the Four Winds Development Trust, which manages funds on behalf of the community councils in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Lumphinnans and Auchtertool.

Separate to the community benefit fund, Kennedy Renewables is working closely with Fife College, providing funds to the college to set up the Kennedy Renewables Educational Fund and sponsor Cowdenbeath FC’s youth team.

Managing director Jonny Kennedy said: “We are extremely proud of Little Raith Windfarm and the warm welcome that we have received in Fife since the windfarm started operating in November 2012.

“We have already invested over £20 million in the Fife economy by building Little Raith and our community benefit fund will invest £1.25m in the local communities over the next 25 years.

“If approved the extension will allow us to further invest in the Fife economy and into our community benefit fund. We are committed to this programme of investment and hope Fife Council look favourably on our proposal.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/17/firm-says-warm-welcome-has-paved-way-for-little-raith-windfarm-expansion-plans/