Partial consent has been granted for a wind farm in the East of Scotland which could power the equivalent of more than 32,000 homes and create jobs for the area.

The Aikengall II wind farm, six kilometres south of Innerwick, is expected to have 19 turbines and have a generating capacity of up to 68.4MW. The consented scheme has three fewer turbines than the developer applied for, to mitigate the visual impact on the Oldhamstocks Conservation Area.

The construction of the wind farm will create around 100 jobs, with five full time jobs thereafter. The scheme will lead to around £98 million capital investment, the majority of which will be spent in Scotland.

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Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "The Aikengall II windfarm will create jobs both in its construction and during its lifetime, as well as having the capacity to supply more than 32,000 homes with renewable electricity and displace around 77,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

"The development will lead to £98 million of capital investment, mostly spent in Scotland. The turbines for the development will be constructed in Campbelltown. The construction of the site will create 100 jobs, as well as five permanent jobs operating the windfarm.

"In consenting the application, I have put a number of conditions in place to protect local wildlife and to minimise environmental impacts, including to set noise limits for the windfarm."

Developers Community Windpower Limited applied for consent to operate the Aikengall II – Wester Dod Community Windfarm on 4 September 2009, and submitted supplementary information following this. A Public Local Inquiry was held in Haddington between June and November 2011.

A total of 481 public representations were received, 101 objections and 380 letters of support.

(GK)