OREANDA-NEWS. SSE today welcomed the decision by Scottish Ministers to grant consent, with associated planning conditions, for Stronelairg wind farm, situated south-east of Fort Augustus in the Great Glen. The wind farm will have 67 turbines with a maximum capacity of up to 240MW and is located on Garrogie Estate.

The project is to be built around SSE's existing Glendoe hydro scheme, using existing access roads which run right through the wind farm site. The project is situated on a plateau set well back (around 14km) from Loch Ness and no turbines will be visible throughout the main tourist routes of the Great Glen, Loch Ness and Cairngorm National Park.

Colin Nicol, Lead Director of Wholesale Generation Development, said: “SSE is delighted with the decision from Scottish Ministers on Stronelairg wind farm, it is a fantastic project which will bring real socio-economic benefits to the Great Glen area including job creation, skills training, business opportunities and substantial community funds.

“SSE is a responsible developer and we have built on the strong community relationships formed historically in the Great Glen as a result of our hydro power generation. When planning Stronelairg, we worked very closely with these communities and stakeholders to minimise any local impacts and this includes utilising the existing Glendoe hydro access road infrastructure. We are also working with Highland Council and their Development Initiative of the Great Glen (DIGG) group* to ensure this project is delivered as smoothly as possible.

“We are keen to ensure that local businesses are afforded as many opportunities as possible during construction, which is exactly what our Open4Business** portal is designed to do. We estimate as much as £120 million could be secured by Highland and other Scottish companies, and that significant local employment opportunities will be created. In addition, SSE will be providing up to £30 million of community funds for 25 years from the construction start.

Willie Cameron, Highland Tourism Ambassador and local business person from the Cobbs Group of Companies and Loch Ness Marketing, said: “This is brilliant news for the Great Glen and for local people. I have lived and worked in the area for decades in the tourism industry, and have seen many changes both here and across the Highlands, and I welcome today's decision to grant consent for Stronelairg wind farm.

“I believe it has been well sited and carefully designed and it will have zero effect on tourism as a result. Developments like this help to build a lasting legacy for future generations and it is good to see our natural resources being harnessed for the long term benefit of the country and the local community.”