The Scottish Government has welcomed plans by independent Dunfermline-based renewable energy company Burcote Wind for a £1.08 billion investment in the region’s wind energy industry.

The plans for 10 wind farms across Scotland, from Aberdeenshire to Dumfries and Galloway, would create nearly 800 MW of generating capacity – enough to power 554,000 homes – and up to 600 jobs.

Burcote Wind is already consulting on four sites at Meikleton in Aberdeenshire, Creggan in Argyll and Bute, Sandy Knowe and Benshinnie in Dumfries and Galloway and is in the early stages of selecting a further six sites.

Company chair Graham Brown said Scotland is an attractive place for renewables investment because of the regional government’s commitment to low-carbon development.

“There is strong support across the spectrum,” says Brown. “We have been impressed by the commitment of the Scottish Government to making the transition to renewables a reality.”

The proposals are subject to planning approval, but the Scottish authorities recently announced plans to streamline the scoping, planning and consenting of offshore renewables development.

“Burcote’s announcement is very welcome and further evidence of the significant interest from a range of businesses in investing in Scotland's world-leading renewable energy industry,” commented First Minister Alex Salmond.

The plans have also been welcomed by WWF Scotland as “great news” and one in the eye for Donald Trump’s attempt to stop wind farm development near his favourite golf course.

“With our huge natural resources and strong government targets, Scotland is fast becoming one of the best places in the world to come to design, manufacture and install renewable energy technologies,” says director Richard Dixon.

Scotland attracted £750 million in investment over the year up to October 2011, according to the Scottish Government, and has a pipeline of 17 GW of generating capacity.

For further information:
www.burcotewind.com
www.scotland.gov.uk/
scotland.wwf.org.uk/

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UK leads European installation of 866 MW offshore wind in 2011 (23-Jan)