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Application submitted to extend Berry Burn wind farm with nine more turbines
Credit: By Garry McCartney | Forres Gazette | 19 August 2020 | www.forres-gazette.co.uk ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
One of Europe’s largest generators of renewable energy has applied to extend a local wind farm.
The Statkraft Group has submitted an application for nine turbines with a maximum height of 149.9 metres to blade tip at the existing 29 turbine Berry Burn wind farm around five miles south of Forres – it is estimated the extension would generate electricity equivalent to the average annual consumption of over 35,500 homes and deliver additional community funding of £189,000 per year.
The company first proposed a ten turbine scheme, with plans evolving over the past 18 months.
Senior project manager for Statkraft, Mícheál Ó Broin, said: “We have completed all of the necessary surveys and planning work, as well as a community engagement plan which first started in December 2018. We have been fortunate to have received thoughtful, considered feedback and guidance from the community and many other stakeholders. As a result, our plan has evolved, and we believe it is even stronger than it was at the outset.”
A wind farm of under 50 megawatts (MW) would normally be decided by Moray Council, however, wind farm extensions are viewed in totality with the operational project (67MW), which means the application is made directly to Ministers of the Scottish Government. The full planning application documents can be viewed on the development website www.berryburn-extension.co.uk
The existing Berry Burn Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund has delivered over £1.1 million for community projects since it started, including recent grants of over £6000 for emergency Covid-19 relief.
Mr Ó Broin said: “This project is a great example of the rapid advances in turbine technology. In 2014 we installed a 29 turbine wind farm, generating electricity for approximately 48,000 homes. Within a short space of time we are looking at a nine turbine project which will provide for over 35,500 homes. Furthermore, because of this increased capacity, the extension would deliver roughly the same amount of community funding as the 29 turbines.”
Statkraft is also a member of the Moray Chamber of Commerce and will be working with the trade body to maximise opportunities for local suppliers to get involved. Interested local suppliers are encouraged to register their capabilities on the development website.
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