Green light for £80m wind farm to feed Beauly-Denny power line

Published on Tuesday 12 January 2010 21:29

THE Scottish Government yesterday approved an £80 million wind farm that will feed into the controversial Beauly-Denny power line, given the go-head last week.

The 52.5 megawatt (mW) Baillie wind farm near Thurso will supply almost 25,000 homes and create 30 jobs in construction.

Energy minister Jim Mather also announced an extension to the Rothes wind farm near Elgin, which will boost capacity by an extra 45mW, increasing the generating capacity of 95mW. The extension will be capable of supplying more than 20,000 homes and create about 60 jobs.

Mr Mather said: "These schemes are good for Scotland's low-carbon economy and further examples of the action we need to take now to tackle climate change.

"The north of Scotland has huge renewables potential and these two schemes will provide tangible, lasting benefits to the communities involved as well as a reduction in carbon emissions."

Consent for the 21-turbine Baillie wind farm at Bardnaheigh Farm, Westfield, Caithness was first sought in 2004 and attracted 1,262 representations, 829 in support and 433 against. Following an objection from Highland Council, the plan was sent to a public inquiry in 2008. The reporter recommended approval.

Steve Pottinger, of Baillie Wind Farm, said it would help the Scottish Government reach its target to generate 50 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2020. Rothes wind farm (formerly known as Cairn Uish) was approved in 2003. In December 2007, Rothes II Ltd (a subsidiary of Fred Olsen Renewables Ltd) applied for an extra 14 turbines and to increase the planned height of four of these. A total of 37 objections were lodged but Moray Council backed the plan in June.

Meanwhile, the John Muir Trust yesterday called for improved statutory wild-land protection of the UK's last remaining unspoilt landscapes in the wake of the Beauly-Denny approval.

The trust was one of several bodies claiming the power line would destroy wild countryside.