14 DAY TRIAL // Official reports inform us that the Scottish government recently agreed to allow Infinis Plc to build a new wind farm in this country, supposedly to provide clean energy for as much as 31,311 homes.
As is the case with all such green-oriented governmental decisions, the communities close to Muirkirk, East Ayeshire, and Douglas, South Lanarkshire, also stand to benefit.
This is because the local economy is expected to experience a much-welcomed boost as a result of new job opportunities being created, both during the construction phase and once the wind farm becomes fully operational.
The official website for the Scottish government states that local economy is likely to gain an additional ₤2.7 million throughout the next 25 years due to this new Galawhistle wind farm, which will comprise up to 22 turbines.
Apparently, Infinis Plc, the company in charge of seeing this project through, first approached the Scottish Government back in March 2010, asking that they be allowed to develop said wind farm.
However, no decision could be made until the South Lanarkshire and the East Ayrshire Council were not allowed to voice their opinions regarding the proposal.
Business Green informs us that Scotland's Energy Minister Fergus Ewing explained how, “"I am confident that Galawhistle will provide great benefits to its local community and play an important part in helping Scotland reach its target of the equivalent of 100 per cent of electricity demand generated from renewables.”
However, he also wished to make it quite clear that, prior to approving the project, he “put in place a series of conditions to protect the outstanding natural habitats and landscapes and local communities.”
Seeing how having so many households powered by means of renewables will significantly cut down on the amount of CO2 released into the air by this country's energy industry and therefore help improve on Scotland's environmental footprint, we welcome this particular piece of news.