December 20, 2014
Scotland

Extra turbines in revamped plan

Bitter blow to council's wind turbine request | The Northern Scot | 20/12/2014 | www.northern-scot.co.uk

A fresh planning application has been lodged to include an extra four turbines at the Dorenell Wind Farm on the Glenfiddich Estate.

Consent has already been given by the Scottish Government in 2011 to build 59 turbines at the site.

However, renewable energy company Infinergy claims that the updated proposals for 63 turbines will increase the wind farm’s output by as much as 37%.

The Dutch-owned firm states that wind turbine technology has evolved a great deal in the last three years.

Therefore, as the site is not scheduled to connect to the National Grid until 2018, it was decided to submit a fresh application.

The firm’s managing director, Esbjorn Wilmar, said: “This redesign provides an opportunity to increase the renewable electricity generated on the site.

“The redesign means that over 39,000 more homes could be supplied with renewable energy, as well as a further 82,000 tonnes of CO² being saved per annum – all within the same site boundary.

“Maximising output from the site will make an important contribution to the renewable energy targets that have been set by the Scottish Government.”

The development has strongly divided opinion in the past.

Opposition from Moray Council triggered a public inquiry between October and November, 2010.

A total of 646 objections were lodged against the proposal, while 615 letters were received in support.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority “strongly objected”, while the Speyside Alliance – a coalition formed in 2009 to defend the interests of local brands including Wm Grant and Sons, Walkers and Glenfarclas – also opposed the project.

Despite these objections, the Scottish Government approved the wind farm after the public inquiry.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/12/20/extra-turbines-in-revamped-plan/