New turbines proposed near to Aberdeenshire wind farm

Vattenfall, the Swedish energy company, has announced plans for additional wind turbines next to an operating wind farm in Aberdeenshire.

The developer is seeking opinions from technical specialists and the public on early ideas for 16 turbines next to Clashindarroch Wind Farm, which has been generating clean, green electricity since 2015.

Speaking ahead of March community information days in Rhynie, Haugh of Glass and Huntly, Vattenfall’s Project Manager Andrew Bennett, said: “Vattenfall’s Clashindarroch Wind Farm has been successfully generating clean, green electricity for 18 months now. On the back of this success, we would like to build further wind turbines in the Clashindarroch Forest area.

“Clashindarroch II will provide the local community with the chance to own part of the wind farm in addition to having a community benefit fund to invest locally.”

Vattenfall has ambitious targets to significantly grow production from its wind business. This strategy is in line with Scottish aspirations, recently announced by the Scottish Government, to deliver 50% of all energy demand from renewables by 2030.

Guy Mortimer, Vattenfall’s UK Development Director for onshore wind, said: “Vattenfall wants to be carbon neutral by 2050 and wind power is going to drive our transition to a sustainable energy company. That is why Vattenfall wants to triple the size of its wind business by 2025, Clashindarroch II will be part of that transition. But we also think it can be part of Scotland’s transition to a low carbon energy system.”

Vattenfall will submit a request to the Scottish Government to identify the scope of environmental assessment needed to understand the impact of the early plans. This scoping request would be the basis of a discussion with the local community. The opinions of both technical specialists and the public would then help shape the project ahead of a planning application.

The existing Clashindarroch Community Fund receives £185,000 (index linked) every year from Vattenfall’s Clashindarroch Wind Farm. More information about the fund can be viewed here.