New Cumnock: Drop-in sessions for Hare Hill wind farm

Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) is planning to apply to Scottish ministers to construct and operate Hare Hill Wind Farm Repowering and Extension.

The site is located on the border of East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

The current Hare Hill and Hare Hill Extension wind farms have 55 turbines between them, capable of generating 43.2 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

READ MORE: New Cumnock wind farm plans to provide '80,000 homes with electricity'

SPR says the plans for approximately 25 turbines would have the potential to deliver up to 150MW, enough to power the equivalent of 80,000 homes.

The company has submitted a request for pre-application and environmental impact assessment (EIA) scoping advice to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit.

Because the generating capacity of the proposed operation is more than 50 megawatts, the power to grant permission lies with the Scottish Government, not with the local council.

Drop in sessions are set to go ahead next week in Kirkconnell and New Cumnock to allow members of the community to learn more about the plans.

The sessions will take place on:

• Monday, September 2 at Miners Memorial Hall in Kirkconnel from 2-7pm
• Tuesday, September 3 at New Cumnock Town Hall from 11.45am-3.15pm
• Tuesday, September 3 at Miners Memorial Hall in Kirkconnel from 4-7pm

 SPR's website for the proposals say: "To date, SPR’s operational onshore windfarms have contributed almost £60 million to communities across the United Kingdom.

"Over £13.9 million of community benefit has been used to support valuable community led initiatives and projects in Dumfries and Galloway.

"In excess of £11.2 million has been invested into communities in East Ayrshire. Repowering Hare Hill Windfarm and Hare Hill Extension will further increase community benefit funds available to neighbouring communities within Dumfries and Galloway and East Ayrshire."

More information can be found online.