Swedish energy company, Vattenfall, has submitted plans for a £190m wind farm in the south west of Scotland.

The company said the 50-turbine, 170MW South Kyle Wind Farm development could power more than 90,000 homes.

If approved, the project would be located near Patna, Carsphairn, Dalmellington and New Cumnock.

The application will now be considered by the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit.

During this period, Vattenfall will meet and talk to companies across the region and beyond who have the skills and services to help build and operate the project if it is given consent.

-- Advertisement --

Piers Guy, Vattenfall's UK Onshore Wind Development Director, said: "If South Kyle Wind Farm is approved it will bring lasting economic benefit to the local community. We are committed to engaging with local people and businesses at each stage during the development process and we are committed to developing an excellent wind farm and maximising local economic benefit.

"Developments like this not only make a substantial contribution to the environment, they also have a significant positive impact on both the local and national economy. At the peak of construction activity, if the proposal is approved, 79 people will be working on site. It is our intention to maximize the potential of local people working on South Kyle Wind Farm. It will cost more than £190m to build South Kyle Wind Farm and the potential jobs boost that comes with it highlights the importance of the onshore wind sector to the Scottish economy."

If plans are approved, it is anticipated that onshore construction could begin in 2016, with the first power generation being achieved in 2018.

(JP/CD)