Proposal for new wind farm in Kintyre submitted for planning

A proposal for a new wind farm consisting of nine turbines in Kintyre has been officially submitted to Scottish Ministers. 

The project, developed by RES, is located approximately 2km east of Tayinloan on the Killean Estate, with the developers claiming that it will significantly boost the local economy, injecting over £55 million throughout its lifecycle.

The proposed 59.4MW Killean Wind Farm is expected to generate these economic boosts in numerous ways, according to RES, including approximately £35 million in business rates over a projected 50-year operational period and an additional £5.9 million in local investments during the construction phase. The community would also benefit from a tailored package worth roughly £14.8 million, potentially featuring RES' Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS), which provides an annual electricity bill discount for nearby residents.

Danny McLean, Development Project Manager at RES, highlighted the efforts taken to ensure the project's integration into the local environment, “We have worked hard over the last year  to develop a project which we believe fits sensitively within the landscape and which minimises or mitigates any potential impacts. The design has been shaped by extensive site survey work as well as consultation with the local community – and we are grateful to everyone who took the time to attend our public exhibitions and share their views with us.”

If approved, the wind farm would produce enough clean electricity to power around 51,000 homes, potentially offsetting about 47,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The project is expected to reach full carbon payback within just two years of operation.

Reflecting on the benefits of similar projects, RES shared insights from its construction of the Freasdail Wind Farm, also in Kintyre. This earlier project involved local contractors, contributing to the local economy.