New Highland wind farm gets consent

The construction of a 22 turbine wind farm in the Highlands, that will generate enough power for 36,000 homes, has gained the green light.

The Creag Riabhach wind farm, which will be located on the Altnaharra Estate, near Lairg, in the North Highlands, will have a generating capacity of 72.6MW, enough to power 36,000 homes, with estimated savings of 66,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

After gaining widespread support from the public and local community council, Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has given consent for the project go-ahead.

Wheelhouse said: “Renewable energy sources accounted for over 56.7 per cent of gross electricity consumption in Scotland in 2015, and onshore wind is a key driver for the growth in both our renewable electricity supply and wider renewable energy sector and in the delivery of our vision for a greener Scotland and statutory climate change targets by enabling decarbonisation of electricity production.

“This proposal for Creag Riabhach received popular support from the local community council and public alike and, once operational, the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power 36,000 homes and generate over £9 million in benefits for the local community.”

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