Kype Muir set to boost economy
Developers project £100m figure
A new wind farm in Avondale could bring over £100 million to the local economy, developers have claimed.
Banks Renewables received the green light from the Scottish Government Energy Consents and Deployment Unit (EDCU) for its Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm, located between Strathaven and Sandford, in 2016.
The project will add a further 15 turbines taking the total at Kype Muir to 41.
The firm say the development will be capable of powering more than 80,000 homes and believe it will deliver an estimated £101m boost to the South Lanarkshire economy.
Connect2renewables (C2R) was launched in 2014 by Banks Renewables with the support of local communities in South Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Council, and seeks to maximise the social and economic benefits of the company’s wind farm developments in the local area.
To date contracts worth nearly £20m have been awarded to firms based within 30 kilometres of Kype Muir wind farm, say Banks Renewables and C2R.
Drumclog Plant Hire, Hillhouse Quarry Ltd and KT Montgomery are among the firms within that radius who have benefited from large contracts.
As well as the Connect2renewables commitments, Banks state they will work with South Lanarkshire Council and the local communities to maximise the benefits delivered by the £11.5m of direct community funding flowing from the project.
Kype Muir Wind Farm will also contribute nearly £30m in business rates over its lifetime that will support South Lanarkshire Council to provide high quality services to the communities of South Lanarkshire.
Colin Anderson development director Banks Renewables. is of
He said:“we’re very proud to know that the work we carry out will have long-lasting and significant benefits for the local area.
“A key part of Connect2renewables is to ensure we use as many local contractors as possible, as we know this has a hugely positive knock-on effect for the local economy and the people living and working there.
“The construction of Kype Muir Wind Farm will positively contribute to the area for a generation, with local community groups, shops, businesses and individuals seeing tangible benefits.”
He added: “Connect2renewables is a ground-breaking initiative that is all about giving local people opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have.
“It also shows that as we increase the amount of clean, renewable energy in our country to address the climate change imperatives, that we can do it in a way that has very clear social and economic upsides for our communities and businesses.”
The project is set to be completed by early 2019.