Skylark Energy, a joint venture between UK-based Ecotricity and global construction firm Skanska, has submitted a planning application to the Scottish government for a 65-megawatt wind farm.
The planned Upper Sonachan wind project near Portsonachan in Argyll and Bute near Loch Awe could generate enough green energy each year to power the equivalent of more than 37,000 homes. Skylark has three wind park projects in Scotland awaiting planning decisions.
Under UK electricity regulations, planning applications for energy projects exceeding 50MW must be submitted to central government for consideration, in this case the Scottish government, which will evaluate detailed assessments of ecology and ornithology, aviation, landscape, archaeology, noise and cultural heritage, amongst numerous other factors.
The Scottish government will also take into account the views of local people and expert opinion of statutory consultees – such as Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the RSPB, Ofcom, the Ministry of Defence, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Local Planning Authority – before reaching a decision on the plans.