Recycling & ‘green’ energy top the agenda

Meeting recycling priorities and developing sustainable energy are the key waste and environmental issues in Scotland as the Scottish Executive disburses funds for waste facilities across the country and Scotland plays a pioneering role in on- and offshore wind energy and marine generated power


The twenty turbines of Scotland’s most powerful wind farm are now providing clean energy for around 33,000 homes. Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald recently opened the Crystal Rig wind farm in the Lammermuir Hills near Dunbar in East Lothian.

He said: “This wind farm is an excellent example of how Scotland benefits from renewable energy -it has provided green jobs for the local economy as well as clean electricity for Scotland.

“We aim to further develop and encourage Scotland’s renewable energy industry – and I’m delighted that local companies were used by the developers for the Crystal Rig project.

“Our drive to ensure Scotland fully exploits its renewable energy potential depends on making the most of existing technology, like wind and hydro, and also on taking the lead on the new technologies. We are supporting the development of marine and biomass which will be crucial to our ability to meet our renewable energy targets,” he said.

Crystal Rig wind farm currently has 20 turbines with a 50 MW capacity – making it Scotland’s most powerful wind farm in operation to date. A further five turbines will be built by 2005, increasing capacity to 62.5 MW with the ability to power 41,000 homes.

The company – Natural Power Consultants Ltd for Fred Olsen Renewables – has lodged a further Section 36 application to extend the development by 165 MW(56 turbines).

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