March 28, 2024
Global Renewable News

BANKS RENEWABLES
UK: Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce Praises Wind Farms for Business Boost

August 29, 2017

Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind plans for a new local wind farm recognising the noticeable boost it could bring to local businesses in the region.

The business group praised the proposed Knockendurrick Wind Farm for the opportunities it would provide the local community.

It is hoped the seven turbine project, from Hamilton-based Banks Renewables, will provide opportunities to enable businesses to flourish in the region, supporting the local community by bringing jobs and new technology to the area.

Brian Richardson, the chief executive of the Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce, backed the lucrative business opportunities that come along with investment in wind farms.

He said: "Our region is a net exporter of electricity [which means jobs and money into the region] and that will continue to grow through the attraction of further investment such as the Knockendurrick wind farm proposal subject to the necessary planning permissions and regulations.

"Our region is replete with every form of renewable energy and in order for the mix to work in the long term a sizeable investment in energy storage is needed.

"Such investment will undoubtedly bring jobs and technology and the chamber has been working closely with Dumfries and Galloway council to attract related industries and technologies." 

The 14MW wind farm, which would be situated near Twynholm, could help fund a jobs and training programme, as well as offering the local community the opportunity to purchase up to a 10 per cent share in the wind farm.

Jeannie Kielty, Community Relations Manager at Banks Renewables said: "We are delighted that the Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce has recognised the economic opportunities that would come as a result of the Knockendurrick wind farm.

"At Banks we are committed to working with the communities and businesses around our projects to bring them as many opportunities as possible and Knockendurrick Wind Farm has the capacity to benefit the area enormously."

"Once built and operational there could be benefits for local businesses in terms of purchasing affordable local energy from local wind farms.  As onshore wind energy is the cheapest form of renewable electricity generation, purchasing cheaper electricity from local wind farms could be a real boost to employers in areas like Dumfries and Galloway.  The availability of cheaper electricity could also help attract and retain firms in Dumfries and Galloway."

Following public feedback, Knockendurrick Wind Farm has been revised to improve the appearance of the wind farm within its landscape setting.  All seven turbines will now be reduced in height with six of the turbines reduced from 132m to 115m, and the seventh turbine reduced to 100m. In addition the wind farm has been moved east to position it further away from the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area. 

For more information about this project please see: http://www.banksgroup.co.uk/projects/renewables/knockendurrick/

Background

  • Banks Renewables is part of the Banks Group (www.banksgroup.co.uk), a family business founded in 1976, based in Hamilton and Durham, which now employs around 360 people in the renewable energy, property and mining sectors. 
  • Banks Renewables currently operates seven onshore wind farms, is investing over £200m into renewable generation and by 2019 will have an operating wind farm portfolio of 224MW.
  • In total, to date, we have obtained planning permission for 13 onshore wind farms and a solar PV array. When all of these 13 wind farms are built and operational they will provide over 336MW of renewable electricity generating capacity across Scotland and the north of England.
  • Banks Renewables is a member of the trade bodies RenewableUK (www.renewableuk.com) and Scottish Renewables (www.scottishrenewables.com).
  • Banks renewables is also a member of British Wind (www.british-wind.co.uk) - the partnership of independent energy generators and suppliers.

Issued on behalf of Banks Renewables by www.holyroodpr.co.uk.
For further information call 0131 561 2244 or email
info@holyroodpr.co.uk

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