Leading independent Scottish renewable energy operator GreenPower, and renewable energy investment company, Thrive Renewables, have welcomed the decision by West Lothian Council to approve the application to extend the 3-turbine Drumduff Wind Farm, located near Blackridge.
The extension will add three turbines with an expected generation capacity of 12-15MW, bringing the overall Drumduff Wind Farm to 6 turbines and the combined onsite generation capacity to over 21 MW.
Located primarily in a commercial Sitka Spruce forest, the project plan includes substantial ‘forest to bog’ restoration of peatland bringing substantial ecological and biodiversity gains. The company has also made a commitment to provide £5,000 per MW of installed generation capacity to the local community.
Lead Development Manager Sam Layton said: “Local community feedback has helped us finalise the design to avoid native woodland areas and maximise biodiversity benefits from the project. I would like to thank all of the local community and the community council who engaged with us constructively on the project as the plans evolved. We look forward to working with them to maximise the benefits of the project to the community.”
The existing wind farm is owned and operated by GreenPower and Thrive Renewables, under a Joint Venture known as Green Breeze Energy Limited.
GreenPower Chief Executive Rob Forrest added: “At a time when the climate emergency demands new sources of green power, this project is in a great location, extending an existing wind farm located in a well-established area of wind developments, and for a small number of turbines with high energy yield.
“Construction plans will be consulted upon locally to minimise disturbance and ensure the smooth delivery and erection of the turbines which we expect by 2026. We will also aim to involve as many local businesses as possible in the plans.”
Matthew Clayton, Managing Director at Thrive Renewables, added: “This extension will help to meet the UK’s increasing demand for clean energy to power homes, businesses and transport, and serve as a step towards achieving both the West Lothian Council climate objectives and Scottish Government onshore wind deployment targets. We look forward to working with local communities and businesses to ensure they continue benefiting from the project.”
Notes to editors
Details of the WLC approval can be found here: https://planning.westlothian.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=RW4T2XRJI4K00&activeTab=summary
For project information: Drumduff Wind Farm Extension – GreenPower International