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.
It will have 36 wind turbines and will support 75 jobs in the Western Isles and generate contracts worth 40 million pounds 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.
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 giving consent, he said he had put in place a series of conditions to protect the outstanding natural habitats and landscapes and local communities.
Ron Peddie, project director for Lewis Wind Power, said: “From the very beginning we have sought to develop a wind farm based on the wishes of the local community. The development team is particularly pleased by the support shown by the public throughout the consultation process and we are confident that they will be pleased when the final wind farm is constructed.”
Alasdair Allan MSP said the original plan suggested that construction work could directly support 75 jobs on the island and generate £40 million worth of contracts for the local economy. He added: “The community benefit fund which the developers have offered to the community would also certainly run into millions.”
Islands council leader Angus Campbell said it would provide a multi-million pound cash investment into the island economy providing much-needed employment while contributing to the fight against climate change.
“This consent now confirms the Outer Hebrides as a major producer of renewable energy. It will be excellent to see the project moving into the implementation phase at the earliest opportunity and I look forward to engagement between the Stornoway Wind Farm and the local business sector to ensure that as much of the contract value as possible is captured in the Outer Hebrides.”
The RSPB charity originally opposed the plan but withdrew the objection following the decision to reduce the scale of the project from 42 turbines to 36, reducing its impact on local wildlife and peatlands.
Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “Whilst this is not perfect, when compared with previous proposals for large scale wind power schemes in north Lewis, the Stornoway wind farm, as now approved, is a welcome improvement and we acknowledge the efforts made by Lewis Wind Power in this regard.”
