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In April one of Europe’s largest single consented wind energy projects achieved a major milestone. Clyde wind farm saw its 100th turbine began exporting to the national electricity grid.
Situated between Biggar and Moffat in South Lanarkshire, Clyde will eventually have 152 turbines producing enough electricity to power around 279,000 homes, making a significant contribution to Scotland’s target to provide 50% of Scotland’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020 to help combat climate change. Construction of the project is expected to be completed this summer.
As with all major renewable projects – and wind farms in particular – there was a thorough and comprehensive planning inquiry before consent was given for its establishment. Operators Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) appointed planning experts Land Use Consultants (LUC) to provide its environmental impact assessment. LUC also co-ordinated the supporting evidence and provided a number of expert witnesses for the Public Local Inquiry. The inquiry report highlighted the quality of the environmental statement, which was awarded a grade ‘A’ for objectivity when reviewed by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. It is one of a number of wind farm projects for which LUC has acted as expert witness.