OREANDA-NEWS. October 30, 2012. SSE Renewables, the renewable energy development division of SSE, was delighted to receive consent to construct and operate a 23MW, 10 turbine wind farm at Cour, 21km south of Tarbert in Argyll & Bute on October 17 2012.

The planning consent is granted subject to conditions and SSE Renewables entering into a Section 75 agreement with Argyll and Bute Council. The planning consent follows effective engagement and consultation with local residents, community organisations, elected representatives and statutory consultees.

Colin Nicol, Director of Project Services, SSE Renewables said:

'We are delighted with the decision by Argyll and Bute Council; this consent is a testament to working constructively and pragmatically with communities and statutory consultees, and listening to their concerns. It is a great project and an important addition to the SSE Renewables project portfolio which will help to generate important economic benefit to the local area and secure investment in the region'

'Work to address the conditions associated with the consent will now take place. During this time we will be engaging with the local communities and businesses ahead of the construction phase commencing, anticipated 2014. A ‘Meet the Supplier’ event will be held for the project in due course and this will be advertised on our project website www.sse.com/cour and within local newspapers.'

SSE Renewables is committed to supporting Scottish businesses and intends to procure the tower sections for the Cour wind farm from the local and only Scottish manufacturer: Wind Towers Scotland Limited. SSE is a significant investor and joint venture partner in Wind Towers Limited, based at Machrihanish. This project would provide a welcome boost to the local industry and wider economy.

In June 2012 SSE launched a new Highland and Islands business portal at www.sseopen4business-highlands.com which provides local businesses with details of opportunities in their area and encourages them to register with SSE. This portal can be utilised by businesses in Argyll and Bute.

SSE currently operates Tangy wind farm in the same local authority area. The Tangy project has so far provided almost Ј40,000 of investment to 26 community projects, including a boat for Campbeltown’s Sea Cadets and funding for the Kintyre Youth Cafe, which promotes employment opportunities.

Once construction has commenced at the Cour wind farm, local communities will benefit from a community investment fund of Ј5,000 per megawatt of installed capacity, which is made up of:

Ј2,500 per megawatt for local community projects; and

Ј2,500 per megawatt for a regional fund.