RES has included plans for a walking and cycling route called ‘Keirs Glen Trail’ in its planning application to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit for the Sclenteuch wind farm.
The nine turbine wind farm, 3km southwest of Patna in East Ayrshire, would be rated at 54MW. As part of the scheme, RES is also proposing to create a new path connecting with the existing High Keirs track to provide a circular nature trail.
RES will deliver a package of community benefits as part of the scheme and has engaged local people to explore ideas for this. The feedback received to date demonstrates that discounting the annual electricity bills of residents living closest to the proposal is the preferred opportunity. The renewable energy company will continue to work with the community to investigate other meaningful forms of local benefit, which were raised during conversations locally.
James Cameron, Development Project Manager at RES, commented: “At a time when consumer bills are rising it’s vital that new renewable energy projects such as Sclenteuch, that can deliver low-cost electricity to consumers, are supported.
“The scheme also presents the opportunity to provide tangible recreational benefits to the local community through the creation of Keirs Glen Trail to the north east of the site, while delivering valuable biodiversity and habitat enhancements.”
In Scotland, RES has developed/or constructed 21 wind farms with a total generation capacity of 597MW.