Expansion plans at Whitelee Windfarm set to provide 300 more jobs

 

© The Herald Originally published: 21/5/2009

The First Minister has given the go-ahead to make Europe's biggest windfarm, near Glasgow, even bigger.

At the official switch-on yesterday, Alex Salmond said plans for an extra 36 turbines at Whitelee on Eaglesham Moor would be approved.

The expansion, taking the number of turbines to 176, is expected to provide 300 construction jobs and create power for an additional 70,000 homes.

Mr Salmond said:

"Whitelee in its current form is already flying the flag for onshore wind power in Europe. The planned extension, which I am delighted to announce, will enable the windfarm to harness its comparative and competitive advantage in wind generated energy within Europe.

"It has the infrastructure, the expertise and the capacity to continue to develop in the future.

"During its initial construction, the windfarm employed more than 500 people and ploughed GBP300 million investment directly into the Scottish economy."

He added: "The benefits of this investment go beyond South Lanarkshire and beyond our real economy. It is an investment in Scotland's potential and ambition to lead the clean, green energy revolution."

The Whitelee windfarm will have a visitor centre and there are also plans to open up 90km of roads and paths at the site to walkers and cyclists.

The First Minister revealed the extension approval yesterday as the windfarm was connected to the national grid.

It will increase capacity from 322 megawatts to 452mw, and generate enough power for 250,000 homes.

Earlier in the day, Mr Salmond met apprentices and engineers at the Scottish Gas Energy Academy in Hamilton. The company is doubling its trainees at the site to 100 a year.