A project to extend a Scottish wind farm is to create up to 30 construction jobs as well as boosting the country’s green credentials, Scotland’s energy minister has announced.
Energy-generating capacity at Kilbraur wind farm, Golspie, will rise by 20MW to 67.5MW – providing electricity for about 31,000 homes.
Scottish energy minister, Jim Mather, said that the region should harness its “vast renewable energy potential, especially in the power of the Pentland Firth,” – where it is hoped wave and tidal power will generate more than 700 MW of energy before 2020.
Mr Mather said sustainable sources of energy, such as wind, hydro-electric, tidal and wave power are helping to drive the country’s economic recovery and will hopefully offset dwindling oil reserves.
He said: “The Kilbraur wind farm will provide construction jobs, green energy, reduced emissions and lasting community benefits – a model of the low carbon opportunities we can exploit for economic and environmental benefit.”
It was announced last week that first minister Alex Salmond will chair the new Scottish Energy Advisory Board, as Scotland attempts to meet half of its electricity demand from renewable energy by 2020.
