AN East Renfrewshire wind farm has been hailed as a “national success story,” a decade on from its official opening.

Whitelee, which is the largest onshore wind project in the UK, was created to significantly boost the number of homes powered by renewable energy.

It began generating electricity in January 2008 and was officially connected to the National Grid a year later.

On Friday, a report was published into the economic, environmental and social benefits of the wind farm.

It notes that it has generated enough clean, green energy to provide almost 90 per cent of total annual household electricity consumed by Scottish households and businesses.

The report also highlights that the wind farm is expected to provide a boost to the UK economy of more than £1billion, including almost £800million in Scotland.

The wind farm, in a rural location near Eaglesham, was found to have supported more than 4,000 jobs during its peak years of construction while sustaining around 600 jobs each year through its operation and maintenance.

Enough carbon dioxide is saved by the wind farm, the report notes, that it is the equivalent of offsetting two days’ worth of domestic flights to and from Gatwick Airport.

Lindsay McQuade, of ScottishPower Renewables, which owns and operates Whitelee, said efforts to achieve Scotland’s environmental targets can be achieved through working with industry and are underpinned through legislation.

“We know that onshore wind is the cheapest form of green energy and therefore should be part of Scotland, and the UK’s, low carbon, cost-effective electricity system,” said Ms McQuade.

“Since the passing of the Climate Change Act in 2008, a number of progressive policy measures have been put in place that has enabled Scotland to become coal-free.

“Working with industry and government, the same approach is now needed to ensure we continue to invest in much-needed renewable generation and thereby achieve this objective and support action to tackle the climate emergency facing us.

“Whitelee is a great example of what effective policy can deliver. It’s a national success story.

“Every year, it produces the equivalent clean energy to power each and every electric vehicle currently in the UK, preventing over five million tonnes of carbon emissions had this energy come from fossil fuels.

“The decarbonisation of our economy, transport and heating systems can all be achieved through existing technology but that has to include onshore wind if we are to decarbonise by 2050.”

 


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