January 11, 2016
Scotland

£75 million Macritch Hill windfarm plan withdrawn

By Richard Watt | The Courier | 11 January 2016 | www.thecourier.co.uk

The largest windfarm ever proposed for Angus has had the plug pulled because of “uncertainty” over government subsidies, The Courier can reveal.

The £75 million Macritch Hill development, which was to see 18 turbines stretch between Glens Prosen and Isla near Kirriemuir, was to save Scottish Water one-third of its annual energy costs.

Developer Eneco today confirmed its decision to withdraw the application, which was to be decided by a Scottish Government reporter this year.

A spokeswoman said: “We are withdrawing from the proposed Macritch Hill windfarm project.

“The decision to withdraw from the project is due to the continued uncertainty of the Contract For Difference (CfD) regime.

“We would like to emphasise that this decision is not related to the planning or environmental situation.

“We remain confident in the project and the real benefits it would bring in reducing Scottish Water’s energy costs as well as supporting the Scottish Government’s renewable targets.”

In June last year, energy and climate change secretary Amber Rudd said the UK Government will block new onshore wind farms from accessing the main renewables subsidy scheme from April.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/01/11/75-million-macritch-hill-windfarm-plan-withdrawn/