The original windfarm, which came into operation in 1997, is situated 9km north of Carsphairn, near the border with East Ayrshire, and is comprised of 36 wind turbines with a capacity of 21.6MW. The Executive commented that the additional 30 turbines would increase output to 111.6MW.
The original windfarm was given planning permission in 1995 and was developed under the Scottish Renewable Obligation. According to Allan Wilson, Scotland’s deputy minister for enterprise, the expansion will significantly add to the country’s green power targets.
The approval comes alongside numerous developments toward renewable energy in Scotland, including an Executive pledge of GBP13 million to support the rollout of wave and tidal projects. Mr Wilson commented: However, on-shore wind energy still has a huge role to play in the drive to increase the amount of clean, green energy produced in Scotland.
Mr Wilson continued: The extension to Windy Standard will increase its green electricity generating capacity fourfold to more than 111MW, equal to the power needs of almost all the homes across Dumfries and Galloway, making it one of the UK’s biggest windfarms.
Mr Wilson concluded that, although the Executive’s target of 18% of energy consumed in Scotland deriving from renewable sources had been reached significantly ahead of schedule, there was still work to be done to ensure the target of 40% by 2020. Mr Wilson said that the extension of the Windy Standard farm should help to ensure that this can be achieved.
