OREANDA-NEWS. The first of 14 turbines has been erected at SSE’s Calliachar wind farm near Aberfeldy, Perthshire.

Over the next couple of months, the remaining turbines will be delivered to the site and assembly work will continue, with large cranes lifting the turbines into place. The tower sections of the turbines are manufactured in Machrihanish, Argyll by Wind Towers Ltd.

Jamie Meneely, Project Manager for SSE, said: “The winter months have been challenging and seeing the first turbine going up is a great result for the team. It now motivates us to focus on safely completing the rest of the project, which is on course for completion by summer 2013.

“Once all of the turbines are in place, they will undergo a period of rigorous testing and commissioning before the wind farm can be declared fully operational.”

SSE’s Liaison Manager, Noel Cummins, said: “This is an exciting point in the construction process and it's great to see the first turbine assembled. Through our Griffin and Calliachar wind farms, we provide ?392,500 per year to community and charitable projects. Between 2011 and 2037 we expect to invest ?9.8million in local projects.”

Calliachar was originally consented by Scottish Ministers in July 2010. SSE Renewables submitted an application to Perth and Kinross Council to amend the tip height of the turbines and Perth and Kinross Council Development Control Committee granted consent for this in January 2012.