16 April 2014 - SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT APPROVAL FOR KINTYRE WIND FARM

Leading independent British developer RES has welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to grant planning permission for Freasdail Wind Farm, located near Whitehouse on the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll and Bute.

The decision on the 11-turbine project was made by an independent reporter appointed by the Scottish Government following RES’ appeal against Argyll and Bute Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the wind farm.

Neil Martin, RES Development Project Manager, commented:  “Freasdail Wind Farm is located within a Proposed Area of Search for wind turbines and we are delighted with the decision taken by the Scottish Government. We have sensitively designed the project and demonstrated that the wind farm would have no significant effects on local people, the local environment or local wildlife.  Projects like Freasdail will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s ambitious renewable energy targets.”

In addition to direct and indirect economic benefits as a result of the construction of Freasdail Wind Farm, the local community will receive a community benefits package totalling in excess of £2.75 million over the project’s lifetime, which includes RES’ pioneering Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS).

LEDS offers properties near RES wind farms an annual discount off their electricity bills. Around 270 eligible properties within 5 kilometres of Freasdail Wind Farm were contacted in spring 2013 with information on how to register their interest in an annual discount of £235 off their electricity bills, which will become available once the wind farm is operational. LEDS is offered in addition to a Community Benefit Fund which will provide more than £25,000 every year for local people to invest in local projects.

RES has already shown its commitment to the area by pledging its support for the Kintyre Way. The company has agreed to provide £30,000 of funding over three years to the long distance walking route.  The funding is now in its second year and has provided much welcome assistance to the management of the route.

Neil continues: “RES is committed to community engagement and we will ensure local residents are informed about construction, the construction timetable and how to access benefits from the wind farm.

We want to be good neighbours to the communities that host our renewable energy projects and are confident Freasdail Wind Farm will be welcomed as a positive asset by the local community.”

RES anticipates construction will start in 2015 and looks forward to working with the community during this period.