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Scottish Government gives go ahead for Stornoway wind farm

Posted at September 11, 2012 » By : » Categories : News » Comments Off on Scottish Government gives go ahead for Stornoway wind farm

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing last week gave the go ahead to a 129.6 MW wind farm 1.5 km west of Stornoway.

The 36 turbine development, which will be built and operated by Lewis Wind Power Ltd – a joint venture between AMEC and EDF Energy, will generate enough energy to power 60,000 homes and be worth around £40 million for the local economy.

The Scottish Government says the development further strengthens the case for a subsea cable linking the Western Isles to the mainland. The subsea cable would open up the area for renewable energy development, both wind and marine.

“The Stornoway wind farm… will represent a significant boost to the economy of the Western Isles and create jobs during construction and in the longer term,” commented Ewing. “I am confident that the wind farm will provide great benefits to its local community and play an important part in helping Scotland reach its target of the equivalent of 100% of electricity demand generated from renewable.”

Since 2007, the Scottish Government has consented 52 renewable energy applications, out of a total of 58, and is considering a further 42 renewables applications totalling around 50 MW of generating capacity.

Further afield, a group of Japanese firms including Hitachi Zosen, Toshiba and JFE Holdings are reportedly planning to invest $1.5 billion in the construction of wind farms in the country.

Starting with 7.5 MW of pilot plants by 2016, the seven-member group will aim to build 300 MW of capacity over ten years.

Meanwhile, US engineering giant GE is celebrating the installation of 300 wind turbines in Brazil on the 10th anniversary of its presence in the wind industry.

The company says it is looking forward to installing a further 600 turbines in Brazil over the next two years.

GE has designed a turbine specifically for the region in the 1.85-82.5 turbine based on its 1.5 MW platform and is investing $1.5 million in two new service centres in the Brazil.

Wind is now the fasting growing power source in Brazil, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), with 583 MW installed in 2011 taking the total capacity to more than 1500 MW.

For further information:
www.scotland.gov.uk/
www.hitachizosen.co.jp/english/index.html
www.ge.com
www.gwec.net/

Related stories:
Scottish Government awards £7.9 million to tidal and wave developers (6-Sept)
Developers submit proposal for 1.5 GW Moray Firth wind projects (5-Sept)
Scottish renewables industry delivers £2.8 billion investment (13-Aug)
Scottish Government gives green light to 55 MW wind farm (13-Aug)

Article source: http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5357/

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