GreenPower Announces Consent Received for Carraig Gheal Wind Farm

[June 13th 2008]

GreenPower announced today (13/06/2008), that it has been awarded consent by the Scottish Government for the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm in Argyll and Bute.

The 60MW project will consist of 20 wind turbines, making it the largest in Argyll & Bute by installed capacity. It is predicted that the annual output from the project would be equivalent to the average electricity consumption of up to 32,000 homes.

GreenPower’s Chief Executive, Robert Forrest, said: “We are delighted with the Scottish Government’s decision to grant consent for the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm. As all the statutory consultees, including Argyll and Bute Council and Scottish Natural Heritage supported the project, we believe that the wind farm has been well designed and is sensitive to the local environment. With recent concerns over climate change, we are pleased that the project will contribute to the Scottish Government’s renewable energy target.”

The Carraig Gheal Wind Farm was originally submitted for consent to the Scottish Government in 2004 and was amended in 2005 following dialogue with statutory consultees and the public. Commenting about more than two years of community consultations and stakeholder dialogue, Robert Forrest said “Our team has been committed throughout the development of this project to communicating and engaging with local people. Moving forward, we hope that we can work closely with the local communities during construction and indeed over the lifetime of the project.”

Construction of the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm is expected to start in 2009 and be operating by the end of 2010. Construction will equate to some £60 million worth of contracts and up to £20m of the construction costs could be spent within the local economy of Argyll & Bute. GreenPower has held a successful trade seminar in conjunction with Argyll and the Islands Enterprise to provide networking opportunities with local business with the aim of using their services during the construction and operation of the wind farm. There will be 3 staff employed to undertake operation and maintenance duties for the lifetime of the project.

GreenPower is an independent Scottish company, developing renewable energy projects. GreenPower are currently developing a portfolio of wind and hydro power projects across the UK, including the recently consented 204MW Griffin Wind Farm in Perthshire.