Yahoo News Huge £200m 'Scout Moor II' wind farm could be built on Lancashire moors
A huge 100-megawatt wind farm - which would become one of the biggest in England - could be built on Lancashire's mooorlands.
Plans for Scout Moor II - a landmark 100 MW onshore wind farm between Rawtenstall and Edenfield, located next to the existing Scout Moor wind farm - have been submitted.
Cubico Sustainable Investments believes it could be operational before 2030 and would generate an estimated £200million of investment and "hundreds of skilled green jobs". It would be the first major onshore wind development in England in over a decade.
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It is understood that the new wind farm could generate enough clean electricity to power over 100,000 homes and meet around 10 per cent of the region's domestic energy needs. The site was identified as one of the best potential locations for wind energy generation in England, helping to reduce the UK’s reliance on fuel imports, according to Cubico.
David Swindin, chief executive officer at Cubico, said: “Our proposal for Scout Moor II reflects our strong confidence in the UK renewables sector and Britain’s potential to become a global clean energy powerhouse. We’re encouraged by the Government’s vision to accelerate the build out of renewable energy infrastructure across the country, and we are committed to delivering projects that decarbonise our power system, enhance energy security, and benefit local communities.”
Cubico says it currently operates over 250 MW of wind and solar projects in the UK with a growing development pipeline, "supporting the nation’s clean energy transition". The firm says it has plans to invest £300million in new projects across various green technologies in the coming years.
James Pinney, Head of Northern Europe at Cubico, added: “We’re excited about the opportunity for Scout Moor II to play a key role in helping the UK achieve its net zero ambitions and enhance the North West’s position as a national hub for clean energy generation. As we progress, we’re looking forward to engaging with local communities and ensuring their participation helps shape a project that leaves positive social, economic and environmental benefits for all.”
A previous proposal to expand the number of turbines at Scout Moor was introduced by Peel Wind Power in the mid-2010s. While it was supported by Rossendale and Rochdale Councils, it was ultimately refused by the Secretary of State following a Public Inquiry.
Green Party councillor for Whitewell and Stacksteads Julie Adshead said: “‘We welcome the Scout Moor II windfarm proposal in principle and it’s certainly pleasing to see the proposed measures for moorland restoration and management. The provision of renewable energy is just one part of the jigsaw and we also hope that resources can be directed to help our communities with retrofit measures and affordable energy.”
The leader of Rossendale Council’s Conservative group Cllr Scott Smith said: “We will be looking at these proposals in detail to determine whether the developers have taken the needs of Valley residents into account. We would urge residents to attend the consultation events to look at the proposals and to have their say.”
