SSE given green light to build onshore windfarm

• By E4B
• 22 July 2008
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A leading commercial electricity supplier has been given the go-ahead to build Europe's largest onshore windfarm in Scotland.

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) was granted consent for the Clyde project, which will be built in two phases and completed by 2011, from the country's government.

It is believed that 200 full time jobs will be created during the construction of the development, which will consist of 152 turbines and is expected to require £600 million-worth of investment.

Ian Marchant, chief executive of SSE, said projects like the windfarm were "essential" if the UK is to meet renewable energy targets set by the European Union.

"Scottish ministers aim to make Scotland the green energy capital of Europe, and giving the Clyde wind farm consent is evidence of a willingness to take decisions which are consistent with that ambition," he added.

The energy supplier recently announced it has entered joint venture with Forth Ports.

Under the terms of the agreement, the former will develop renewable energy projects for use at sites operated by the latter.