Windenergy News: Scottish WKN wind farm project takes decisive hurdle

May 30, 2013 - In the consents process for Sallachy Wind Farm the Husum-based WKN Group has taken a decisive step ahead. The Highland Council, a relevant authority and consultee to the Scottish Government in the development process, has just voted in favour of raising no objection to the 66 MW project. The Highland Council represents the interests of the northern counties in Scotland.

Within the consenting process it evaluates the planning guidelines as well as the economic and ecological benefits of such large-scale projects. With its consent the Highland Council has now confirmed the positive aspects of the proposed wind farm development for the environment, the communities and the regional economy. Sallachy Wind Farm can therefore be passed to the Scottish Ministers for final determination.

In the very north or Scotland, WKN is planning to set up 22 wind turbines with a total output of 66 MW. When completed, Sallachy Wind Farm will produce enough energy to power some 34,000 homes with environmentally-friendly electric energy.

"The Scottish consenting process for wind farms is not only very complex and democratic, but also involves unusually many different levels, which is quite different from other European countries, " explains Sallachy project manager Oliver Patent.

"This is why we are very happy to have received some important tailwind for our project." "Once again, the WKN Group has experienced that careful planning considering all regional stakeholders does not only make sense, but is also very helpful in achieving the set targets, " says Martinus Scherweit, CEO of WKN AG. In this context, project manager Patent especially emphasises the positive cooperation with communities, land owners, industrial associations and the university. "We are confident that this decision will substantially help to make big progress in Sallachy and are looking forward to new business activities in Scotland in the future."
 
WKN AG

WKN AG has planned, installed and operated turnkey wind farms and solar power systems in Germany since 1990. In addition, WKN AG is also internationally represented by subsidiaries in numerous European countries, South Africa and the US. Up to now, the company has initiated and realized projects with a total of more than 1,130 megawatts capacity.

The headquarters of the WKN-Group are located at the “House of Future Energies”, an established center of  excellence for renewable energy sources in Husum/Germany. 53.43 percent of WKN shares are privately owned by the company’s founder Volker Friedrichsen. About 17 percent are held by diverse private and institutional shareholders while 29.33 percent are in the hands of Siemens Project Ventures. The Chairman of the WKN Supervisory Board is Dr Klaus Rave.