by David McPhee
A new wind farm able to power up to tens of thousands of homes in the
Highlands has started exporting electricity to the grid, according to the
project developer.
German energy firm Innogy claim the new Bad a Cheo Wind Farm in Achkeepster
near Caithness is capable of powering up to 22,000 households each year.
The project will also deliver more than £3.3 million for the region.
Onshore wind developer Innogy confirmed that all 13 turbines are now
exporting electricity to the grid.
Bad a Cheo is a 25 year operational project and has a generating capacity
of 26.65 megawatt (MW).
Alex Meredith, Innogy’s head of Onshore Wind Development UK, said he was
“delighted that the project had reached a “significant milestone”.
He added: “Not only is Bad a Cheo Wind Farm a significant addition to
Innogy Scotland’s renewables portfolio, as the cheapest form of green
technology to consumers, new onshore wind has a crucial role to play in
Scotland’s clean energy future.
“Innogy Scotland looks forward to working with the Scottish Government and
communities across Scotland to help reach net zero carbon by 2045 as we
work together to address the climate emergency at the lowest cost.”
Developers of the new wind project also announced that Bad a Cheo would
provide £3.3m in community benefit fund for the local area.
An initial cash installment of £133,250 is now available and will be
generated each year of the operational lifespan of the project.
Katy Woodington, Innogy’s community investment manager, added: “We have
spent a long time listening to what local people want, and with the
agreement of Watten, Halkirk and District, and Lybster, Latheron and Clyth
Community Councils we have appointed Foundation Scotland to administer the
fund via their local officer Eilidh Coll.
“When surveyed, seventy-three percent of respondents to Innogy’s
questionnaire about the fund supported a model where local people make
decisions on the allocation of funds via a volunteer grants panel supported
by an independent grant-making organisation.”
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