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Monday, 16/Feb/2009
Offshore Windfarm Near Islay
Interesting news today which could possibly have a significant impact on Islay in a few years time: Crown Estate awards rights on 6GW Scottish offshore wind power. Why does this matter for Islay? Because one of the sites is just off Machrihanish (i.e. between Islay and southern Kintyre) and another one 13km / 8 miles west of Islay.
The Islay and Kintyre sites were granted to Scottish and Southern Energy who sent out this press release: Offshore Windfarm Development in Scottish Territorial Waters. Further information is also available on the Islay project page:
The sites for development are located 3km off the Atlantic coast of Kintyre due west of Machrihanish and 13km from Islay. The proposed Kintyre wind farm could have a total capacity of up to 378MW from power generated by around 126 turbines covering an area around 70km2. The site off Islay could have a capacity of up to 690MW with around 138 turbines covering an area of around 93km2.
Based on the Crown Estate press release and the provided map I've created this view to get a better idea of the site locations around Islay and Kintyre:
From what I understand the project is at a very early stage. A detailed site assessment will be completed over the next 1-2 years before a more detailed proposal can be made. Until then I believe any views about the impact on Islay (and Kintyre) can only be speculative:
While there is quite likely to be some economic benefit if the sites are built how much of it can go to local firms? What will the impact be on the local wildlife, in particular the birdlife if the developments are poorly sited, as RSPB Scotland points out? What is the potential impact on tourism, as the views from Islay are likely to change if the plans go ahead? How will this move towards renewable energy change Argyll in general?
Certainly a very interesting project with wide ranging impacts on Islay, Kintrye and Argyll, worth following over the next few years!
Further reporting:
- BBC News Scotland: Offshore wind farm sites set out
- For Argyll: Proposed Crown Estate exclusive offshore windfarm lease agreements include three sites in Argyll
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