Plans to build a £40 million extension to Lethans wind farm in East Ayrshire have been unveiled.
A scoping report, which details the issues and environmental impacts, shows that up to 11 new turbines are expected in the proposals.
And they would stand as tall as 260 metres from the ground to the tip.
The plans have been put forward by Banks Renewables and, if successful, the extension is expected to help provide enough energy to power more than 36,000 homes (more than 87,000 people) with green electricity annually.
That's more than all the homes and people in Paisley, Renfrewshire.
The scoping report has now been submitted to the Scottish Government’s energy consents unit and the hope is that the extension can help the country to one day achieve its net zero by 2045 ambitions while boosting the local economy.
The proposed Lethans wind farm extension is located in East Ayrshire, less than six miles north-east of New Cumnock.
It would have the same National Grid connection as the firm’s approved Lethans wind farm – a development of 22 turbines – with a maximum output of up to 105.6MW.
The wind farm extension is the latest project from the firm based in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire and has the potential to deliver a range of benefits to the area – from supporting local jobs and working with local firms, to delivering a community benefit fund of up to £9.9m.
It is also expected that around around 33,000 tonnes of CO2 will be safely displaced annually.
Robin Winstanley, sustainability and external affairs manager at Banks Renewables, said: “This is an exciting project and represents an important contribution towards Scotland’s net zero goals by 2045.
"While we’re at a very early stage in developing our plans for Lethans wind farm extension, we strongly believe the community should be involved from the start.
“We’re keen to seek the views of local people and work with them in collaboration to deliver a project that will have long-lasting environmental, economic and social benefits.
“Lethans wind farm extension could mean an investment into a community fund over the project’s lifetime.
“Our current focus is on building on the good relationships we have in East Ayrshire to work together to deliver something that helps create a new legacy and have a positive, sustainable impact on the region.”
Banks’ Lethans wind farm was given the green light in October last year after plans were revised to maximise the supply of electricity.
A local community benefit fund and East Ayrshire Council's renewable energy fund (REF) stand to receive investment of £7.1m each from the Lethans wind farm project.
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