The Highland Council has taken another step towards achieving Scotland target of a sustainable future. Last week saw the planning consent being granted for an extension to the Novar Wind Farm, located on the Novar Estate, 20miles North East of Inverness.
The Novar Wind Farm extension will see 16 modern, more powerful turbines added to the existing site of 34. This will raise the capacity of the site from 17megawatts to 49megawatts, making Novar Wind Farm powerful enough to meet the average annual needs of around a quarter of all the homes across the Highlands.
This will also help counter carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, one of the main causes of global warming, by up to 100,000 tonnes each year.
Thomas Chappell, Renewables Developer for npower renewables, said; "This is fantastic news and shows both the Highland Councils and npower renewables dedication towards achieving Scotland's target of generating 40% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, through the development of sensitively designed and high quality wind farm sites. I am truly delighted by the Highland Councils decision."
Mr Chappell went onto say; "To the tip of the blade the present turbines are 55.5metres high whilst the new turbines will be up to 106metres. However, none of the new turbines will extend higher into the sky than the existing ones, as the new turbines will be located on the slopes leading towards Glen Glass and Loch Glass, whereas the existing site is located on the hill tops. This will mean if you cannot see any of the turbines at the moment, you would be unlikely to see the new ones when installed."
The Novar Wind Farm extension will not only generate clean, sustainable electricity but will also help benefit the local communities near the site. The existing wind farm generates a community fund in the region of £20,000 a year, administered by Alness, Ardross and Kiltearn Community Councils. Once fully operational the Novar extension is anticipated to increase this funding, and assist local projects and benefit the people of Ross-shire further.
The success at Novar coincides with the launch of the Embrace campaign, which aims to give people the opportunity to express their support for wind power at www.embracewind.com. npower renewables will be celebrating their involvement by holding an open day at Novar later on this summer. Details will be advertised nearer the time.
For further information contact:
- Patrick Spink, PR Officer, npower renewables
Tel: 0118 959 2440
Press Release
