The wind power division of the EDF nuclear giant has started commercial electricity generation at three new wind farms in the UK – two of which are in Scotland – with a combined capacity of 97.7MW.
The two Scottish renewable developments are the 19.2MW Pearie Law, six-turbine wind farm, near Livingston, and the 47.5MW Corriemoillie wind farm, near Garve in Easter Ross.
A community fund of £5,000 per MW will be provided annually by EDF for the lifetime of the Corriemoillie wind farm. Discussions are on-going with the local community regarding the administration of the fund.
Meanwhile, EDF has two other planning bids under consider for additional new wind farms in Argyllshire and in the Borders.
It has reduced the number of turbines proposed for its Cruach Brenfield project – named after the summit on the highest part of the site in forestry land near Ardrishaig – following local community opposition after 49 people attended a public meeting in May last year.
The scheme incorporating 12 turbines with a maximum height of 150m would have an installed capacity of up to 42MW and would supply the annual electricity equivalent to the requirements of approximately 23,100 homes.
And EDF spokesman said: “A community fund would be offered which would be equivalent to £5,000 per MW per annum. This would equate to almost £195,000 per annum that would be available for use within the local community
“We aim to use local contractors where ever possible in the construction of wind farms and we also have an agreement with Wind Towers Scotland which enables towers to be sourced from that local company <in Argyllshire>.”
Meanwhile, EDF has appealed to the Scot-Govt for permission to extend its Fallago Rig wind farm, near Gifford after Borders Council rejected the bid at first application.
It wants to build a 41.4MW extension to the existing generation station with an additional 12 turbines, with a blade-tip height of 126.5 metres.
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