Europe’s Largest Onshore Windfarm Approved By Scottish Government
Posted on July 23, 2008
Europe’s largest onshore windfarm, able to generate enough power for 320,000 homes, has been approved by the Scottish government.Announcing the new windfarm approval ahead of the World Renewable Energy Congress in Glasgow, First Minister Alex Salmond said the 152-turbine Clyde windfarm near Abington in South Lanarkshire is “another step towards making Scotland the green energy capital of Europe.”
“The Clyde windfarm will represent a very important step in the development of renewable energy in Scotland and in meeting shared European targets,” Salmand said.
Clyde will be built in two phases, with commissioning of the first phase set for 2010 and completion of both phases scheduled for 2011.
The Scottish government has set a target of supplying a third of Scotland’s electricity demand from renewable sources by 2011 and half by 2020, said Salmond.
“Today’s announcement makes it virtually certain that the 2011 target will be met early and exceeded by the end of this Parliamentary term and represents a significant milestone on the way to achieving the 2020 target,” he said.
The Clyde windfarm application was submitted by Airtricity. It became part of Scottish and Southern Energy’s development portfolio when the company acquired Airtricity in February 2008.
The development is expected to require an investment of £600 million (US$1.195 billion). Scottish and Southern Energy, SSE, estimates that half of the total investment will be placed with Scottish companies.
» Filed Under Renewable Energy
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