AMEC JV Submits Planning Application to Build Worlds Largest Onshore Wind Farm

Lewis Wind Power Ltd, a joint venture of AMEC and electricity generator British Energy, has submitted a planning application to the Scottish Executive for permission to build the world's largest onshore wind farm in the north of the Isle of Lewis located in the Western Isles off the north west coast of Scotland.

Lewis Wind Power Ltd proposes building a 234 turbine wind farm with a capacity of 702MW that would supply enough green energy to meet the average electricity needs of around 1.1 million people, over 20% of Scotlands population, and achieve around 6% of the UK's renewable energy targets. When compared with coal fired power stations, it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.85 million tonnes per annum.

It is estimated that during the four year construction phase the Lewis Wind Farm would create more than 300 jobs locally and that, over its 25 year lifetime, it would support the creation of a further 350 jobs in the Western Isles. It is anticipated that the proposal would provide an annual income to the Western Isles of £6-8 million per year through rental payments, payments to crofters, community funds and rates.

The development has been designed to be large enough to provide real economic benefits to the Western Isles. If the planning application is successful it will provide justification to the electricity regulator for investment in a new grid interconnector and create the conditions for turbine component manufacture and assembly at the Arnish Point facility.

Lewis Wind Power intends to open negotiations with the newly formed Western Isles Development Trust to explore ways that the wind farm could further benefit the local community. Discussions will focus on opportunities for the community to participate through investment in the wind farm, a principle agreed in November 2003.

A significant proportion of the wind farm would be located within the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area (SPA), a site designated for its important birds and habitats. From the start, Lewis Wind Power has gone to great lengths to minimise the impact of the development. The final proposal takes up less than 1% of the area of the SPA. Impacts on the bird species affected, within the SPA, have been identified and mitigation and monitoring measures have been proposed. The Scottish Executive will now look at the proposal's impact on the integrity of the SPA through undertaking its own assessment.

A decision from the Scottish Executive is expected during 2005.

Earlier this week, AMEC submitted plans for the Kyle Wind Farm to be situated in East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The development of 100 turbines, would have an installed capacity of around 300 MW.

Environmental studies and investigations at the outset indicated that a wind farm consisting of up to 150 turbines could be developed on the site. However, this number reduced to 100 turbines following environmental assessments, carried out by independent experts, and comments from the community.

A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was submitted with the planning application under Section 36 of the Electricity Act. This ensures that consent for wind farms with a greater installed capacity than 50MW is provided by the Scottish Ministers. The formal 28 day public consultation period will end on 10th of December and if the application is successful it is anticipated that construction of the project could begin as early as 2007.

The Kyle Wind Farm would contribute to the Scottish Executive's commitment to raise the overall proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources in Scotland to 18% by 2010 and the aspirational target of 40% by 2020.

Find out more about  AMEC and Lewis Wind Power

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Added to site on 07/11/04

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