A new Highland windfarm has been granted planning consent.

It is thought the new Beinneun windfarm near Invergarry will generate £30m a year for the Highland economy and £500,000 for local communities.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has approved the plans for the 85 megawatt wind farm, which will have 25 turbines and generate the equivalent of the energy needs of 40,000 homes, according to the Scottish government.

90 jobs are expected to be created during the two years of construction.

It is estimated the windfarm will bring £3m a year to the local economy once it is operational.

The developer is also providing five £1000 scholarships for local young people going into university or technical college. Students from Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston and Glengarry, which are hosting the windfarms, would have priority.

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Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "The construction of the Beinnuin wind farm will provide a valuable boost to the local economy, injecting £30 million and creating 90 jobs during construction, as well as an estimated £3 million a year after that.

"Once it is up and running it will save thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, and it is expected that the savings made will 'pay off' the carbon footprint of constructing the site in less than two years.

"The wind farm will also produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 40,000 homes."

Minister Ewing said he had put ecological safety measures in place.

"This includes a research programme into common scoter breeding ecology which was suggested by the RSPB and will include scoter and mammal surveys, fish studies, and investigation of the loch profile," he said.

Developers RidgeWind Ltd applied to the Scottish Government to operate a 25 turbine 85MW wind farm in November 2011.

(IT)