At present, the vast majority of the United Kingdom’s energy requirements are met by nuclear, coal and gas power stations. By their very nature however, fossil fuels will inevitably run out and renewable energies will become one of the worlds main energy sources for the new millennium. As a signatory to the 1997 Kyoto Global Warming Treaty, the UK Government is fully committed to achieving a reduction in ‘Greenhouse Gases’ and has set a target that 10% of our energy requirements are produced from renewable sources by 2010 and 20% by 2020.
The Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order (ROS) 2002 was introduced to stimulate the further development of the renewable energy industry in Scotland, in line with UK Government requirements. The ROS obliges energy suppliers to increase the proportion of their power coming from renewable sources, and Scottish Ministers have increased Scotland’s target to 18% by 2010. In 2003, Scottish Ministers announced an “aspirational target” to produce 40% of energy from renewables sources by 2020. The renewable energy mix is likely to be provided by a variety of sustainable technologies including wind power, wave energy, hydropower and biomass.
We have recognised that renewable sources of energy make an important contribution to secure, sustainable and diverse energy supplies by embracing the development of wind power generation. The Company is actively involved in developing a number of wind farm sites throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland and is a member of the British Wind Energy Association and the Scottish Renewables Forum.
We currently operate two wind farms, one in Orkney and one in Northern Ireland. We recently obtained consent for a 36MW project in the Scottish Borders and have two wind farms at different stages in the planning process totalling over 75MW.
Operating Wind Farms Bu Farm, Rothiesholm, Stronsay, Orkney Islands Slievenahanaghan, Co Antrim, N IrelandConsented Wind Farms
Toddleburn, nr Oxton, Scottish Borders is a local authority application for 12 turbines totalling 36MW. The relevant local authority is Scottish Borders Council. The proposal was the subject of a public local inquiry in May 2006 after council officials refused the application despite it being recommended for approval by the planning officers. The application was approved in January 2007.
Wind Farms in Development Calliachar, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire. A 14 turbine scheme totalling 32.2MW. Bankend Rig, Glengavel, South Lanarkshire is a local authority application and comprises 11 turbines totalling 14.3MW. A planning application for this scheme was submitted to South Lanarkshire Council in June 2006 and consultation responses have been received. The company is currently preparing its response to the local authority on the issues raised. |