The award of consent to the wind farm can now accelerate discussions with local communities regarding shares. Vattenfall has offered communities in East Ayrshire and north Galloway a right to acquire an interest of up to 5 percent in the project. The company will also provide a community benefit fund of £5,000 per MW installed per annum over the operational lifetime of the wind farm and will engage with the region’s supply chain to maximise business opportunities. Over 150 local businesses have already registered their interest.
“This decision is good news for Scotland’s climate change targets and for local people and businesses” said Guy Mortimer, Vattenfall’s UK head of development for onshore wind. “Of course there is a long way to go before Vattenfall is able to construct and operate this wind farm, but if constructed, this will be a wind farm that we hope local people and businesses will take pride in. The Scottish Government’s consent decision for this scheme is reassuringly robust. The wind farm proposal was scrutinised and carefully considered through a detailed public local inquiry in late 2015. As a result, this consent is a clear evidence-based decision that concludes South Kyle is an eminently acceptable proposal.”
Last week, the Scottish Government consented the 170MW wind farm located near Dalmellington, Patna, New Cumnock and Carsphairn. Vattenfall will consider the consent decision in detail before confirming the forward schedule. The company’s proposal for South Kyle Wind Farm was subject to a public local inquiry in late 2015 following a planning application in 2013.
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