RES fails to win govt permit for 50-MW Scottish wind farm

The Scottish government last week turned down RES UK & Ireland Ltd’s plans for the construction of an up to 50-MW wind farm in the Scottish Highlands.

A reporter appointed by the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) has refused an appeal against an earlier rejection of the project by the Highland Council, citing the development's potential impacts on landscape and wild areas, as well as visual effects.

The so-called Culachy project consists of 13 turbines of less than 50 MW in total, planned to be located near Fort Augustus. According to RES, the scheme would have brought about GBP 3.6 million (USD 5m/EUR 4.1m) into the local economy.

The company said it was disappointed with the reporter’s conclusion, adding that its plan for the project was to carry out its implementation without using government subsidies.

Also last week, the government approved the 133-MW Strathy South wind project by utility SSE plc (LON:SSE), that calls for the installation of 39 turbines near the village of Strathy, Sutherland. The plant will be an extension of the 68-MW Strathy North wind park, which has been generating electricity since 2015.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.375/EUR 1.135)

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