Written by David Mackay
A massive wind farm capable of powering the whole of the north of Scotland
could be built in the Moray countryside.
Force 9 Energy and EDF Energy Renewables want to erect 63 turbines up to
570ft tall to the south of Forres.
The huge development, which has been christened the Clash Gour wind farm,
will surround the already operational Berry Burn turbines – but with blades
reaching 250ft higher.
Last night anti-wind farm campaigners branded the scale of the new
proposals “obscene”.
But the firms stressed the development’s potential “multi million pound”
injection into local firms working on the project.
Brian Higgs, chairman of Finderne Community Council, said: “It looks like
this one is going to be very big compared to what we have seen from Berry
Burn and other wind farms in the area.
“That’s going to make the consultation process very important because it
will have a pretty dramatic impact on the area.
“It’s not possible to take a stance on it at the moment until we see more
detail but the fact Force 9 is engaging with us at this early stage is very
encouraging.”
Up to 63 turbines between 440ft and 570ft tall to the blade tip will form
the Clash Gour wind farm. However, the team behind the project has stressed
that total and height could change as the project progresses.
The turbines will be clustered in pockets to the north, east and southwest
of the Berry Burn wind farm about seven miles south of Forres.
Due to the size of the development an application will be submitted
directly to the Scottish Government in the coming weeks.
Force 9 Energy estimates the project could generate enough electricity to
power up to 190,000 homes.
A spokeswoman said the “unique” landscape could accommodate a large wind
farm with “careful design”.
But Graham Lang, a member of the anti-wind farm group Scotland Against
Spin, cast doubt on whether the turbines would ever reach their full potential.
He said: “With Berry Burn, Pauls Hill, Kellas and Rothes, to name four
nearby wind farms, the area is already overrun with turbines – the scale of
this proposal is obscene.
“The fact of the matter is there is no requirement for any more wind farms
in Scotland.
“The grid cannot cope and this will just be a cash cow, if it’s consented,
with whoever ends up owning it being paid more not to generate electricity
than it will ever earn from supplying it.”
During a series of public exhibitions later this month the developers
intend to explore the possibility of the turbines becoming owned by the
community.
Andrew Smith, head of Force 9’s planning and development, explained the
firm was eager to work with residents and those interested in the proposals
during the planning process.
He said: “Although the Clash Gour proposals are at an early stage, Force 9
considers proactive and early community consultation to be a really
important part of the planning process.
“Our aim is to ensure that local people are given the opportunity to give
their views directly to our project team at all stages of the development
process.
“The final number and location of the turbines will be guided by the
various technical and environmental assessments and by the ongoing
consultation with the community and interested stakeholders.”
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