Courtesy of Energy Voice.
Plans for a north-east wind farm have been scaled back in order to be more “in keeping” with the local area.
The Craig Watch wind farm, which has been earmarked for the border between Aberdeenshire and Moray, about five miles southeast of Dufftown, had been due to consist of 16 turbines.
But developer Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, has now opted to reduce the number of turbines to 11.
They will have a tip height of 200 metres.
The reduction follows a public consultation, held in March, with further discussions due to take place in the coming days.
A community drop in session is being held tomorrow at Mortlach Memorial Hall, followed by a meeting at Glass Village Hall on Wednesday.
Locals will also be able to chat to the project team online on November 25 between 4pm and 6pm.
The online consultation will include details of the new scheme layout.
A focus of the drop in sessions will on using interactive software to see how the wind farm may look from a specific property or local viewpoint.
John Wallace, project manager at Statkraft, which is owned by the Norwegian state, said: “We wish to thank those who have provided feedback and helped shape the project to date.
“We have taken on board feedback from consultees to design a project which is more in keeping with the local area.
“As Covid-19 restrictions have eased we are looking forward to sharing our plans with the community at the drop in sessions on 16 and 17 November.
“To help manage the event safely, we request that those wishing to attend register in advance.”
Statkraft’s north-east portfolio also includes the 29-turbine Berry Burn Wind Farm, located about 8 miles south of Forres.
With a total installed capacity of 66.7 megawatts, the development is capable of supplying green energy to around 48,000 homes.
It started producing clean power in 2014 and provides a community benefit fund worth almost £170,000 per year.
Read this article on the Energy Voice website here.