Monday, January 09, 2012
West Coast Energy is pleased to confirm it has submitted a
planning application and environmental statement for a proposed
thirteen turbine wind farm at Daviot, near Inverness to planning
officials at Highland Council. The total installed capacity
of the wind farm would be up to 32.5MW.
Over the past year the renewable energy company has engaged with
the local community on its proposals for the Daviot wind farm,
which would be located approximately 8km to the south-east of
Inverness. This included holding two rounds of public
consultations in November 2010 and March 2011, as well as a number
of meetings with community councils and other community groups
outlining the project.
In keeping with West Coast Energy's commitment to the principle
that local communities should benefit financially from the
generation of local renewable energy, the proposed thirteen turbine
wind farm also includes a community turbine within the overall
development. Should the project be granted planning
permission, the communities of Strathnairn and Strathdean would be
able to benefit directly from the net profit from the wind farm,
which could be used to fund numerous local projects over the 25
year life of the wind farm.
In a groundbreaking move, West Coast Energy has also recently
announced a strategic partnership with the Inverness College UHI
and the University of the Highlands & Islands to fund a
community benefit package of £3.25m, which would lead to improved
access to vocational education for students across the Highlands
region and retain local people to undertake degree level studies in
the Highlands. West Coast Energy has committed up to £4,000
per MW of installed capacity in the wind farm, which could amount
to an annual payment of £130,000. If the wind farm were to
receive planning permission, it would be the first wind farm
project in the Highlands to directly invest in education and skills
across the whole of the Highland region. The principles of
the arrangement have now been agreed, and West Coast Energy,
Inverness College and the University of the Highlands & Islands
will shortly begin a consultation exercise to establish how best to
use the funds.
Wind power carries with it significant environmental benefits.
Daviot wind farm is projected to generate clean green electricity
to meet the annual domestic electricity consumption equivalent to
around 18,600 homes. Over its 25 year life, it is estimated that
the wind farm could displace over 918,000 tonnes of CO2 that would
otherwise have been produced had fossil fuels like coal or gas been
used instead.
Steve Salt, Planning and Development Director of West Coast
Energy, said:
"We are delighted to announce that we have submitted our planning
application for the Daviot wind farm to the Highland Council.
We are pleased with the positive feedback that we have received and
the success of the consultation process. We look forward to a
continued engagement with the community as the application
progresses through the planning system."
David Hosey, Vice Principal of Inverness College, added:
"We are delighted to be entering into this exciting partnership
with West Coast Energy. The Highlands is fast becoming one of the
centres of excellence in renewable energy in the UK, and it is
important we have the skills and training on offer so people can
benefit from the opportunities available in this expanding
industry.
"If the wind farm is approved, the funding offered by West Coast
Energy will allow us to take the technology to the people of the
Highlands and Islands in the form of a mobile unit, supporting
their learning needs in their own areas."
Fiona Larg, UHI Secretary, commented:
"The partnership with West Coast Energy is a prime example of how
industry and academia can work together and offers a fantastic
opportunity for students in the Highlands to up-skill or re-train
that they might otherwise not have had. The Renewable Energy
sector is a burgeoning industry and this investment would address a
need in the Highlands and would benefit the region hugely by giving
local students access to a vibrant new career and keeping skilled
workers in the area."
A copy of the planning application, environmental statement and
supporting plans and drawings may be viewed at Highland Council's
planning office at Glenurquhart Road in Inverness.
ENDS
For more information, contact Ellie Casson by email eleanor.casson@invictapa.co.uk
or by phone 0131 220 0159.
Notes to Editor
The application was submitted to Highland Council on 5th January
2012 by West Coast Energy Ltd.
