Plans have been unveiled to develop a new 54-turbine wind farm at Glenshero in the Highlands.

Simec Energy, GFG Alliance's sister company, said its scheme would generate up to 178MW of renewable energy for industrial projects such as the GFG Alliance's aluminium smelter and planned Fort William alloy wheels factory and its steel mills in Lanarkshire.

In addition, the steel required for the wind-tower structures could be rolled at Liberty's Dalzell plant in Motherwell and possibly fabricated at a potential new neighbouring wind tower manufacturing facility.

Representing a total investment of £170 million, the local community and a range of stakeholders will be consulted on the plans, with a planning application set to be submitted next year.

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GFG will discuss a wide range of proposals and ideas in the coming weeks and months, including;

• Major enhancement of the existing hydro power stations and examining scope for several further small-scale hydro plants around Lochaber and Kinlochleven

• Investments to upgrade housing and visitor accommodation across the estate

• Development of high-grade facilities for tourists including accommodation and outdoor pursuits such as kayaking

• Major improvements to, and expansion of, farming, fishing and forestry across the estate

• A new helipad to serve both business and emergency services

• Support for individual enterprises related to agriculture, sport and recreation

• Improved access to the estate lands through better signage, parking and other facilities and improved management of natural habitats including peatlands

Jay Hambro, Chief Investment Officer for the GFG Alliance and chief executive of Simec Energy, said: "Glenshero is a unique project in our portfolio. It would be built in an environment of zero subsidies, using steel rolled and finished in Scotland and then generate clean energy to support the Scottish metals industry. It is also an exciting opportunity for us to work with the local community and encourage their investment alongside our own. This is truly a win-win project for all parties."

(LM)