On 2nd June 2006 npower renewables were pleased to announce that it had submitted a planning application to Argyll and Bute Council for the Allt Dearg Wind Farm, located on moorland 10 kilometres south of Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute.

The site was selected by npower renewables as it benefits from a number of features that are ideal for wind farm development. These include:

• Open exposed moorland that benefits from good wind speeds.
• Good distance from existing properties.
• Excellent road access, which is particularly important during construction.
• The turbines could coexist with current land use practices to support farm diversification.
• There are no national or regional landscape designations.
• Underground grid connection available.

Beinn Ghlas Wind Farm, near Oban

The proposal is for up to 14 wind turbines rated at 2 -3 megawatts each - giving a combined maximum output in the region of 28 - 42 megawatts.

A wind farm of this size would generate enough electricity each year to supply the average needs of some 16,000 homes (averaged out across the year and taking into account times of low wind speed).

A detailed environmental assessment of the site and the surrounding area was undertaken before the planning application was submitted. The results of these studies formed part of the Environmental Impact Assessment which was submitted with the planning application - a summary of which can be viewed by downloading the Non-technical summary by clicking on the box to the right of the screen.

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