UK Government: Darling backs renewables
Scotland's latest renewable energy project will be opened today by Alistair Darling on his first official engagement as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
Developed by Fred Olsen Renewables Ltd, through its agent Natural Power Consultants, the Paul's Hill wind farm cost GBP57 million and comprises 28 turbines, situated on open hills, 23km south west of Elgin and 15km west of Aberlour.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said: "I am very much looking forward to working at the DTI and I'm pleased that I am able to return to the Highlands for my first official engagement as the new Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
"The wind farm at Paul's Hill that I am opening will provide enough clean, green energy to power 47,000 homes, which is almost 40% of the total electricity requirements of Morayshire.
"The Government wants 10% of our electricity to come from renewable sources by 2010 and this project will be making a considerable contribution to that target."
The wind farm will also deliver important environmental benefits, including the potential to reduce emissions to the atmosphere by fossil fuel power stations. Over the lifetime of the wind farm, this could mean a reduction of around 2.5 to 3.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, the main climate change gas, as well as a substantial saving in emission of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.
Jeremy Sainsbury, director, Natural Power Consultants, said, "The official opening is another major step forward in the development of Scotland's renewable energy sector. At the Paul's Hill Wind Farm, we believe we are demonstrating how a large onshore wind farm can be sited carefully in a relatively remote location and, at the same time, make a substantial contribution to the UK's renewable energy targets."
Paul's Hill Wind Farm and other projects like it improve Scotland's undoubted potential to be a world leader in the field of renewable energy and we hope that the official opening will boost confidence in the industry to invest further.
Over the six years that we have worked to bring the project to this point, we believe we have developed good relationships in the local community and it is very much our aim that we continue to be a good neighbour" The opening of the Paul's Hill Wind Farm comes exactly one year to the day after the opening of Rothes Wind Farm, another Fred Olsen Renewables development, which comprises 22 turbines, located 10km west of Rothes in Moray.
Notes to Editors
1. Fred Olsen Renewables Limited is a long-term owner and operator of renewable energy projects in the UK and abroad. It is currently expanding its interests within Scotland, UK and Europe, looking at biomass, hydro, wave and wind projects. The company designs, builds and operates projects to the highest environmental standards; minimising impacts from the planning stages to the decommissioning of developments, while producing positive contributions to emissions reduction. Fred Olsen Renewables Limited is owned ultimately by the Norwegian publicly quoted companies Ganger Rolf ASA and Bonheur ASA.
2. The Natural Power Consultants Ltd (Natural Power) is a Scottish renewable energy consultancy offering services in the UK, Europe and beyond. Owned by Fred Olsen Limited UK, Natural Power operates from a purpose built "eco-office" in the foothills of the Rhinns of Kells within rural Dumfries and Galloway. Natural Power has worked in the renewable energy sector for over 9 years, working on biomass, hydro, wind and wave power .
In addition to the above, Natural Power has also recently secured its first operations and management contracts for UK wind farms. The company is developing comprehensive construction, operation, due diligence, maintenance and management divisions, offering extensive services to all owners and banks involved in renewable energy projects within the UK. Rapid expansion of the company is continuing to progress in recognition of the continuing development of the Scottish and UK renewable energy market.
3. For more details on renewable energy click here - http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/energy-sources/renewables/index.html
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