Ministers have approved the Gordonbush wind farm, near Brora in Sutherland, which will be capable of powering 37,000 homes.
The 87.5 Megawatt, 35 turbine wind farm will be subject to conditions to minimise any potential disturbance to local wildlife and to safeguard local interests.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is another milestone in our drive to harness Scotland's massive clean, low carbon energy potential.
"We already have the comparative advantage of a vast array of potentially cheap, renewable energy sources. And we have existing skills and resources to become the green energy capital of Europe, through investing in onshore and offshore wind, tidal, wave, biomass, and clean coal including carbon capture technology."
Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "We have always said we want the right projects in the right places. Gordonbush wind farm will come close to part of the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Protection Area, and will be a good example of a sensitively scaled and sited wind farm operating in harmony with the environment."
Conditions attached to the approval include a legal agreement to stipulate the use of the site in relation to community benefit, crofting interests and transport and access requirements and prior to construction starting, a Habitat Management Plan covering 5,500 hectares designed to minimise impacts on birds will be agreed and implemented.
(GK/JM)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
29/11/2024
Construction has begun on the initial phase of Spaceport 1, a sub-orbital launch site in the Outer Hebrides. Local contractor, Macaulay Askernish Ltd, has been awarded a contract by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to undertake enabling works at Scolpaig Farm in North Uist. The project, funded by a £947k ...
29/11/2024
David Smith Contractors Ltd, a local firm based in Fraserburgh, has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract to contribute to the construction of the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project. The company will undertake civil engineering works at the converter station site near Boddam, Peterhead. ...
29/11/2024
Scotland has unveiled a new plan to become a leading exporter of renewable hydrogen by 2030. The plan, titled 'A Trading Nation: Realising Scotland's Hydrogen Potential – A Plan for Exports', outlines specific actions needed to achieve this goal. The Scottish Government aims to capitalize on the ...
29/11/2024
First Minister John Swinney has welcomed the progress being made in the construction of the new Perth High School during a recent site visit. The new three-storey building, being delivered by Robertson Construction Tayside on behalf of hub East Central Scotland, will accommodate up to 1,600 pupils ...
29/11/2024
Glasgow City Council has given the green light to the sale of four land plots in the city to facilitate various development projects. The sites in question are located in Carmyle, Deaconsbank, Maryhill, and Port Dundas. The disposals are expected to generate significant capital receipts for the ...
29/11/2024
Scottish Water is set to achieve a significant milestone in its woodland creation programme, planting over 500,000 trees by the end of the current planting season in March 2025. This year, the company will plant more than 245 hectares of native woodland across various sites, including Loch ...
28/11/2024
Construction has begun on a new £33 million student accommodation development in Glasgow city centre. The project, a partnership between Artisan Real Estate and Homes for Students, will provide 321 self-contained studio apartments at 292-298 St Vincent Street. The existing office building on the ...
28/11/2024
Springfield Properties has submitted detailed plans to Midlothian Council for the first phase of its new Lingerwood development. The proposed development, located off Stobhill Road near Newtongrange, will eventually include around 1,000 homes. The first phase will comprise 63 homes, ranging from ...
28/11/2024
Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has called on the Scottish Government to prioritise the needs of rural communities in the upcoming Scottish Budget. Dee Ward, Chair of SLE, has urged the Finance Secretary, Shona Robison, to conduct a robust rural impact assessment for all spending and taxation ...
28/11/2024
Four Scottish electrical apprentices have been praised for their performance in the prestigious SkillELECTRIC competition. John-Ross Campbell, Kalum Low, Milly Smith, and Ewan Thomas, all SETCTT apprentices, represented Scotland in the UK-wide competition, which was held at Oldham College. Milly ...