Centrica’s first operational wind farm, Glens of Foudland, will be formally opened today.
VIPs including Malcolm Bruce MP, Nora Radcliffe MSP and BBC TV’s green campaigner Penny Poyzer are expected at the opening ceremony hosted by Centrica Energy managing director Jake Ulrich. Schoolchildren from the nearby Largue School will cut the ribbon.
The 20-turbine wind farm at Huntly in Aberdeenshire represents a £31 million investment to supply 13,000 homes across the region with renewable electricity.
Jake said: “It gives us great pride to be formally opening Glens of Foudland, which is a milestone for Centrica as our first operational wind farm, as well as being Aberdeenshire’s first wind farm.”
Glens of Foudland produced its first full month of electricity during August, a month ahead of schedule, and is expected to generate 80 gigawatt hours of power every year. It could help to save nearly 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
This afternoon will also see the unveiling of a long-term local community fund for the area, managed by local trustees.
The project is part of a £750 million investment to supply Scottish Gas and British Gas customers with renewable electricity over the coming years.
Centrica acquired the project in October 2004 from Renewable Energy Systems (RES), which remained on contract for the construction phase. RES will operate and maintain the site for the first five years.