Planning consent has been granted for a wind farm which will generate 129.6 megawatts electricity or enough to power 60,000 homes.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has approved the Stornoway wind farm, 1.5km west of Stornoway.
The wind farm will have 36 wind turbines, and will support 75 jobs in the Western Isles and generate contracts worth £40 million for the local economy. It will also further strengthen the already strong case for the Western Isles sub-sea cable, which will free up the area’s renewable potential to generate electricity for the mainland, including for emerging marine energy technologies.
The original application had 42 turbines, but the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage raised concerns about the potential impact on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area. The developer worked with these groups to find a solution and Mr Ewing withheld consent for the 6 turbines which would impact most on the area.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said:
“I’m delighted to consent the Stornoway wind farm, which will represent a significant boost to the economy of the Western Isles and create jobs during construction and in the longer term.
“Once it is up and running the wind farm will save thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, and will produce enough electricity to power more than 60,000 homes.
“I am confident that the wind farm will provide great benefits to its local community and play an important part in helping Scotland reach its target of the equivalent of 100 per cent of electricity demand generated from renewables.
“I am particularly pleased that the developer was able to work with SNH and RSPB to develop proposals which allowed this wind farm to go ahead whilst minimising affects on Lewis’ important natural heritage.
“In consenting this application I have put in place a series of conditions to protect the outstanding natural habitats and landscapes and local communities.”
On 29 June 2011 Lewis Wind Power Limited (LWP) applied for consent to construct and operate Stornoway Wind Farm, made up of 42 turbines. Consent was granted for a 36 turbine development. The application received four representations in support and 11 objections.
Related information
The Scottish Government has determined 73 energy applications, including 58 renewable applications: 34 onshore wind, 1 offshore wind, 19 hydro, 4 wave and tidal; and 15 non-renewable projects since May 2007. Of the 58 renewable applications considered by the Scottish Government, 52 have been consented and 6 rejected.
The Scottish Government’s Energy Consents and Deployment Unit is currently considering another 44 applications of >50MW capacity generating stations, including 42 renewables: 2 Hydro, 4 Biomass, 36 Onshore wind, plus 2 non-renewable Hydro stations. In addition to this there are 11 active applications for overhead lines.