Green light from Government boosts wind farm shared ownership plans

Vattenfall, the Swedish energy group, has today welcomed a decisionby the Scottish Government to consent the 50-turbine South Kyle Wind Farm, saying that it can now accelerate discussions with local communities about buying a share of the wind farm.

As well as offering the East Ayrshire and north Galloway communities a right to acquire an interest of up to 5% in the multi-million-pound scheme, Vattenfall will also provide a community benefit fund of £5,000 per MW installed per annum over the operational lifetime of the wind farm. In addition, the wind energy developer will continue to engage with the region’s supply chain to maximise business opportunities in the scheme. Already over 150 local businesses have registered their interest in the South Kyle Wind Farm.

Guy Mortimer, Vattenfall’s UK head of development for onshore wind, said: “This decision is good news for Scotland’s climate change targets and for local people and businesses. The benefits of this project can be significant and wide ranging.

“Of course there is a long way to go before Vattenfall is able to construct and operate this wind farm, but if constructed, this will be a wind farm that we hope local people and businesses will take pride in.”

He added: “The Scottish Government’s consent decision for this scheme is reassuringly robust. The wind farm proposal was scrutinised and carefully considered through a detailed public local inquiry in late 2015. As a result, this consent is a clear evidence-based decision that concludes South Kyle is an eminently acceptable proposal.”

Last week, the Scottish Government consented the 170MW wind farm located near Dalmellington, Patna, New Cumnock and Carsphairn. Vattenfall will consider the consent decision in detail before confirming the forward schedule.

Vattenfall’s proposal for South Kyle Wind Farm was subject to a public local inquiry in late 2015 following a planning application in 2013.

For the Scottish Government’s consent decision please click here>>>http://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationSearch.aspx