22/02/2011
Following a competitive bidding process, ScottishPower Renewables has been awarded exclusive rights to investigate the feasibility of new onshore wind energy projects within the National Forest Estate in the Southwest of Scotland.
The National Forest Estate is owned by the Scottish Government and managed by the Forestry Commission Scotland. A process has been underway for more than 15 months to select development partners to help boost the amount of renewable energy generated on this land. Five ‘lots’ were made available for potential development across Scotland. The area awarded to ScottishPower Renewables is in Southwest Scotland and extends from Langholm in the east to Stranraer in the west.
The company will now start work on a detailed feasibility study in order to fully establish potential wind farm sites in the area. This will determine the size and timescale for future developments.
Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, said: “The National Forest Estate offers great opportunities for Scotland to increase its electricity production from low carbon sources and we are very pleased to have been selected by the Forestry Commission Scotland as the development partner for the Southwest of Scotland.
“We believe that there is great potential for wind power developments in the area of land that we have been awarded, this is an extensive area and much work needs to be carried out before we can present detailed plans which will take many months. As a company, we take pride in being a responsible developer and working closely with local communities when developing a project.”
The Forestry Commission Scotland has also awarded ScottishPower Renewables the right to explore the potential of a number of smaller sites across Scotland.
ScottishPower Renewables is part of the Iberdrola Group, the largest wind energy company in the world*. In the UK the company is the largest developer and generator of wind power, with 930 MW of installed capacity at the end of 2010, and a pipeline of more than 7,400 MW.
Ends
Notes to Editors: