Italian renewable energy group to build new 10-turbine Highlands wind farm
FALCK RENEWABLES, an Italian energy firm, will build 10 new turbines as part of a Highlands windfarm near the village of Fort Augustus.
The development will, according to the Milan-based company, generate up to £4m in profits for the community and result in 50 new jobs immediately.
Called the Millennium South development, the windfarm project gained the go-ahead from the Scottish Government in the village of Invergarry in the Scottish Highlands.
Millennium South could save 90,000 tons of carbon dioxide every year
Toni Volpe, chief executive officer of Falck Renewables, said: “Scotland is confirmed to be a market of great interest for Falck Renewables. The extension of Millennium wind farm will contribute to strengthening relations with the local community.
“At the same time, we are receiving vital support as the Scottish Government is continuing its efforts to build on the great potential of Scotland, which is preparing to become a hub for clean energy.”
Falck has expressed an ambition to for the wind farm to generate enough clean energy to cover the needs of around 27,900 households. Falck designs, builds and manages power plants, deals in biomass and solar technology across the EU and has cited Scotland as its next big market.
The development will, according to the Milan-based company, generate up to £4m in profits for the community
The Scottish Government has praised the project as an example of the growing profile of renewables and Scotland’s potential to achieve energy independence. A project like Millennium South could save 90,000 tons of carbon dioxide every year, that would otherwise be produced by fossil fuels being burned.
In a statement made after he granted planning consent yesterday (6 February), Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Once operational, Millennium South wind farm will be producing enough electricity to power almost 20,000 homes and bring jobs and investment to local communities.
“Renewable energy sources generated a record 56.7 per cent of gross electricity consumption in Scotland in 2015, helping support our world-leading ambitions to become a low-carbon economy.”
The Scottish Government’s ambitions to grow a renewable energy industry have been frustrated by UK Government cuts and face further possible constraint after the UK’s exit from the EU.
Picture courtesy of David Clarke
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