http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/wind/scotland-approves-fallago-rig-wind-farm.html

Scotland’s Energy Minister Jim Mather has given North British Wind Power the green light to develop the Fallago Rig wind farm in the Scottish Borders.

The 48-turbine wind farm, which will boast a total generating capacity of up to 144MW, is expected to power 66,000 homes in the region.
The developers secured approval following a rigorous consultation process, in which Mather insisted on conditions to preserve the environment and communities.
He said, ‘In consenting this application I have put in place a series of conditions to protect the outstanding natural habitats and landscapes and minimise disturbance to communities.’
The Fallago Rig Environmental Fund has been established to serve the local community benefiting from its power, as represented by the Tweed Forum, which will provide £240,000 each year for environmental improvements and sustainable projects.
Despite imposing conditions on the project, Mather lent support to the wind farm, which is expected to create around 600 jobs in the region that are expected to provide a ‘significant’ boost to the local economy.
He expressed confidence in the project becoming a ‘centrepiece of Scotland’s renewables legacy’.
The Scottish government’s target is to meet 80 per cent of electricity demand from renewables by 2020. This ambitious target requires the region to increase its renewable energy resources nearly four-fold.
However, the region has more than 7GW of renewable energy capacity installed, under construction or approved, which is anticipated to lift beyond its interim target of deriving 31 per cent of power from renewables by 2011.
The Scottish government’s Energy Consents and Deployment Unit is in the process of handling 41 applications for hydro, wind, biomass and clean technology projects.
It has already approved 36 renewable energy projects alongside two non-renewable energy installations over the last three years.