– Renewable energy equivalent to 16,000 homes and £3.1 million in community benefits move a step closer –
The first wind turbine components are set to arrive at RES’ Minnygap Wind Farm near Johnstonebridge, Dumfries and Galloway this August. The delivery of the turbines marks a major milestone for the 25 megawatt project, which will be capable of generating enough clean, green electricity each year to meet the average needs of around 16,000 homes.
Construction of Minnygap Wind Farm began in October 2015, and is expected to be fully operational in early 2017. Over the last few months, five kilometres of on-site tracks have been created and all ten of the foundations which will support the turbines are now complete.
With the site ready, the delivery of the turbine components will begin during the week commencing 8th August and continue for a period of approximately twelve weeks. The turbine components will travel from King George V Docks in Glasgow and Ayr Harbour to the site via the M74 and along the A701, before turning into the designated site entrance for Minnygap Wind Farm.
Specially designed vehicles will deliver the various sections of the turbines to the site in convoys with a dedicated escort vehicle. The convoys are expected to depart overnight from the two ports and will arrive on-site first thing in the morning.
Fergal Duffy, RES Senior Construction Manager, commented: “We have taken every precaution to minimise disruption to other road users and have agreed the delivery route and timings following detailed consultation with Dumfries and Galloway Council and Police Scotland. We will continue to work closely with both parties to ensure the safe delivery of the wind turbines to Minnygap Wind Farm.
“The wind farm is progressing to schedule and the team are looking forward to the turbines arriving. This site has excellent transport access and we do not anticipate any significant delays for local people during the turbine delivery period.”
Once the wind farm is fully operational, it will provide a community benefits package of £125,000 per year (index linked) or £3.12 million throughout the operational life of the project.
The community benefits offered at Minnygap Wind Farm will comprise a Community Benefit Fund to support local charitable projects and RES’ innovative Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS), which offers nearest neighbours an annual discount of £200 per year off their electricity bills. Eligible properties will be contacted directly in the next month with details of how to claim the discount.
