Salmond Pushes Wind Power

By Jenny Haworth

ALEX Salmond yesterday said the past ten days were the most exciting in the history of renewables in Scotland as he gave the go- ahead for a major wind farm to expand.

Another nine turbines will be built alongside the 77 already given approval at the Crystal Rig wind farm near Dunbar in East Lothian.

The First Minister announced the extension during a visit to Natural Power, the company behind the project.

The extra 27MW capacity provided by the GBP 22 million extension could power more than 13,000 homes.

Mr Salmond said: “Today’s announcement completes the most exciting ten days in the history of renewables in Scotland.”

Last week he said that the largest wind farm in Europe would be built in Scotland.

The 548MW Clyde project in South Lanarkshire is double the size of the largest wind farm in Europe outside Scotland.

A 45MW biomass plant was also granted permission at the Tullis Russell papermill site in Markinch ten days ago.

“These developments help prove the Scottish economy’s resilience in challenging times and show that it is virtually certain that Scotland will now meet its target to generate 31 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2011,” he said.

Mr Salmond also opened Natural Power’s new office during his visit yesterday. The company’s expansion is expected to create 50 jobs, and more than double the current workforce.

Mr Salmond said Natural Power was”an important contributor to Scotland’s renewable energy sector”.

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