This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Ardrossan wind farm opens
10/08/2004
The 24 Mega Watt Ardrossan windfarm in North Ayrshire
was officially opened today.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said that the
twelve-turbine windfarm was helping to bring 'green jobs'
into the wider community.
The Vestas factory at Macrihanish in Argyll, which now
employs more than 200 people, has supplied the wind
turbines for the new Airtricity development. Several
Ayrshire companies - including McLaughlans of Kilwinning
and Hillhouse of Dundonald - have also won contracts for
the project. The company is also providing access to the
site for schools and other interested community groups to
learn more about wind energy.
Mr Macdonald said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to increasing the
proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources.
We have set challenging targets to generate 18 % of
Scotland's electricity from renewable sources by 2010,
rising to 40 % by 2020. The opening of Ardrossan wind farm
today marks another step along the road to achieving these
targets.
"The fact that Airtricity was able to source its
turbines and infrastructure here in Scotland proves that
our energy industry and related industries are well-placed
to benefit from the opportunities that renewable energy has
to offer.
"We recognise that wind power is hugely significant,
whilst acknowledging the importance of continuing to
develop a diversity of renewables supply. That is why I am
delighted to be here today at the same time as Jim Wallace
is opening the Marine Energy Test Centre in Orkney."
Ardrossan wind farm is located off the B780, 40 miles
south west of Glasgow. It became operational at the
beginning of this year and is predicted to supply green
electricity to around 20,000 homes per year.