December 5, 2017
Scotland

Government approval for Beaw Field wind farm plans

Written by Hans J Marter | Shetland News | 04 December 2017 | www.shetnews.co.uk

A proposal to build a 17-turbine wind farm at the southend of Yell has received planning consent from the Scottish Government.

The proposed Beaw Filed wind farm as [would be] seen from Burravoe. Image: Peel Energy

Peel Energy’s Beaw Field development now hinges on whether Shetland will be connected to the UK mainland via an interconnector cable to allow the export of energy from large renewable projects in the isles.

The Beaw Field project with a capacity of 57.8MW is the second large scale wind farm proposal that has been granted consent from Scottish Ministers.

The 103-turbine Viking Energy wind farm, which is planned to be built in the central mainland of Shetland, was given planning back in 2012.

Last week, a consortium of local businesses lodged plans to build a third large wind farm of up to 63 turbines on blanket bog in the northwest corner of Yell.

Peel Energy is also behind a proposal to build a 21-turbine wind farm on the outskirts of Lerwick.

The company’s managing director Muir Miller said he was encouraged by the local support they were receiving.

“This decision is another important step forward for Peel Energy and also helps the Shetland wind development community towards its renewable energy ambitions,” he said.

He said that Peel Energy was adding its voice to that of other island wind developers in calling for clarity and certainty over the long term grid connection and tariff arrangements needed to meet the economic development potential of wind energy.
“We are hopeful that Ofgem’s recent decision to reject the proposed 60MW sub-sea cable will quickly be replaced with robust plans for a larger scale, two way transmission link as part of a joined up, future orientated approach,” he said.

“We welcome the UK Government’s decision in October to allow island wind projects to take part in the next competitive Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction.

“Moving forwards there is more to be done in ensuring the auction arrangements are fair and balanced concerning island wind as distinct from other less established technologies in the competition.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/12/05/government-approval-for-beaw-field-wind-farm-plans/