This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Windfarm extension approved
12/07/2005
A windfarm extension project which will supply green
electricity to around 100,000 households every year has
today been given the go-ahead by Scottish Ministers.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Allan Wilson announced the
approval of plans for 52 new turbines with a generating
capacity of 164 megawatts at Crystal Rig windfarm near
Dunbar, East Lothian.
Mr Wilson said:
"The extension at Crystal Rig is good news for our
renewables sector and will, on completion, increase the
current generating capacity from 62.5 megawatts to a new
total of 226.5 megawatts.
"The Executive is committed to promoting renewable
energy in Scotland. We have set a target to generate 40 per
cent of Scotland's electricity from renewable sources by
2020 as part of our commitment to addressing climate
change. These targets will be met from a variety of
renewable technologies.
"The decision to grant consent to the Crystal Rig
proposals followed a lengthy consultation process designed
to ensure they do not come at an unacceptable cost to the
surrounding environment.
"Today's announcement will not only deliver clear
environmental benefits, cutting carbon emissions and
combating climate change, but is also a step towards
securing Scotland's position as a world leader in the
renewable energy technology sector."
Crystal Rig Windfarm was developed by Fred Olsen
Renewables Limited, the UK arm of the Renewable Energy
Division of the Norwegian Quoted companies Ganger Rolf ASA
and Bonheur ASA. The company is represented by Natural
Power Consultants who are currently developing a number of
windfarm sites in Scotland.
The existing Crystal Rig windfarm comprises 25 wind
turbines with a generating capacity of 62.5 megawatts of
which 20 turbines with a capacity of 50 megawatts are
presently constructed, and lies in the Lammermuir Hills
south of Dunbar. The extension is for a 52 turbine windfarm
with a generation capacity of up to 164 megawatts,
dependent on final turbine choice. The consent granted
provides that 23 of the turbines would lie within the
Scottish Borders Council area while the remaining 29 will
lie within the East Lothian Council area.
Any proposal to construct, extend or operate a wind farm
with a generation capacity in excess of 50 MW requires
consent under
Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Such consents
usually include deemed planning permission in terms of
Section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland)
Act 1997.
The Scottish Climate Change Programme sets out the
Executives contribution to the UK Climate Change
objectives. A key measure is the commitment that 18% of
electricity generated in Scotland should come from
Renewables by 2010. The programme is currently under review
and a revised programme is expected later this year.