January 8, 2015
Scotland

New windfarm proposed near Cairngorms National Park

By Jane Candlish | The Press and Journal | 8 January 2015 | www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Highland residents will get their first glimpse of plans for a new windfarm planned on the edges of the Cairngorms National Park later this month.

Swedish company Vattenfall says that they want to build a “major commercial scheme” at the picturesque Dava Moor.

The firm, which already operates a windfarm on Skye, says it will not confirm how many turbines will comprise the Ourack windfarm until next year, when it is also hoped to lodge a planning application.

Two community exhibitions will now be held to give more information about the scheme, which will be nearly four miles north of Grantown, close to the Highland border with Moray.

Frank Park, Vattenfall’s project manager, said: “Effective and early local engagement is at the heart of developing a scheme which brings the widest possible benefit to the area. This early local engagement is a genuine opportunity to influence the research and assessment of the Ourack Wind Energy Project.

“We would encourage as many people, community groups and local businesses as possible to join us at the information days to discuss any concerns they may have but also discuss how a wind farm can deliver the widest possible benefit from home-grown renewable energy.”

The Dava Moor is a well-known beauty spot close to Lochindorb, the former lair of the Wolf of Badenoch.

Vattenfall already operates the 18-turbine Edinbane Wind Farm on the Isle of Skye and recently finished the construction of the 18-turbine Clashindarroch Wind Farm in Aberdeenshire.

With four projects in development, Vattenfall could invest £500million in Scotland by 2021.

The exhibitions for the Ourack Windfarm will take place at Edinkillie Hall, Dunphail, on Wednesday January 21, and at Inverallan Parish Church Hall, Grantown, on Thursday January 22. Both events will take place from 2-8pm.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/08/new-windfarm-proposed-near-cairngorms-national-park/