Beinn an Tuirc Wind Farm

Located 10 miles (16 km) north of Campbeltown (Argyll and Bute) is the Beinn an Tuirc Wind Farm. The 680 ha (1680 acre) site lies on the slopes of Beinn an Tuirc, which at 454m (1490 feet) is the highest hill on the Kintyre Peninsula. The wind farm was opened in 2002 by Brian Wilson (b.1948), the Government Energy Minister, having cost £21 million to construct. It comprises forty-six Danish Vestas V47 turbines, each standing 64m (209 feet) high and capable of generating 660 kW of power, giving a total generation capacity of 30.36 megawatts (MW).

Despite the relatively remote location, care was taken to minimise the visual impact of the turbines as seen from local villages. The development also required the protection of a pair of endangered Golden Eagles, which had ranged over the area. This involved the clearance of trees to create a habitat for grouse and hare, intended to act as prey for the eagles and divert them away from the turbines. The farm is owned by Scottish Power, a privatised utility which now forms part of a multi-national energy group. A ranger has been appointed by the power company to manage the local environment and ensure continued protection for the eagles, together with other species.

In November 2007, one of the towers failed in strong winds, folding in the middle and bringing its turbine to the ground.


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