Lewis Wind Power gets approval for 129.6MW wind farm in Scotland

The government of Scotland has approved the Lewis Wind Power’s application to construct and operate 129.6MW Stornoway wind farm to be located 1.5km west of Stornoway.

The wind farm will use 36 turbines to produce electricity sufficient to power over 60,000 homes, displace tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and is expected to generate contracts worth £40 million for the local economy.

Lewis Wind Power originally submitted an application to build the wind farm using 42 turbines but the government gave the consent only for 36 turbines following the concerns raised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Scottish Natural Heritage.

Scotland Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said the wind farm will boost the economy of Western Isles and create jobs.

"I am confident that the wind farm will provide great benefits to its local community and play an important part in helping Scotland reach its target of the equivalent of 100 per cent of electricity demand generated from renewable," Ewing said.

"I am particularly pleased that the developer was able to work with SNH and RSPB to develop proposals which allowed this wind farm to go ahead whilst minimising affects on Lewis’ important natural heritage.

"In consenting this application I have put in place a series of conditions to protect the outstanding natural habitats and landscapes and local communities."

The Scottish government has so far determined 73 energy applications of which it approved 52 and reject 6 since 2007.