An extension to the Highlands’ first windfarm was officially opened yesterday more than 15 years after the first turbines were built.
The Novar 2 windfarm in the hills above Evanton in Easter Ross will generate enough electricity for around 15,000 homes.
The 16 new turbines are more efficient than those in the older windfarm.
It means there are now 50 turbines on the slopes of Meall an Tuir, above Loch Glass. The extension will generate 36.8MW of electricity, compared with just 17MW by the 34 turbines built in 1997.
Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Fergus Ewing unveiled a plaque at the site of the extension yesterday. He praised developer RWE npower renewables for their efforts to develop wind energy.
The firm has several windfarms in the Highlands, including Farr, Causeymire, Beinn Glas and Bilbster.
A community benefit for both windfarms is now expected to generate more than £1.5million during the lifetime of the turbines.
The money will be split between the Kiltean, Ardross and Alness community councils. So far, sports clubs and children’s groups have benefited from the fund. Caithness, Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP Rob Gibson said: “The local benefit is enormous, local contractors and skilled trades have been employed in the construction and ground preparation.
“The local communities such as Evanton will gain £23,000 community benefit payments from the new scheme.
“I am sure that strategic use can be put to the cash for smaller and larger projects decided by the local people.
“Also the recent purchase of the Evanton Woods at 163 acres has been helped by the existing windfarm fund.
“It’s a great day when another batch of clean energy production can boost Scotland’s and the Highlands energy security. I am sure that most people prefer clean power to remote nuclear power.”
