SSE Renewables proposal to build an extension to Bhlaraidh Wind Farm, near Fort Augustus in the Highlands has been approved by the Scottish Government.

The now fully consented development will consist of 15 turbines with an installed capacity of up to 100 Megawatts (MW) and a tip height of up to 180m depending on turbine selection.

Craig Cunningham, Project Manager For Bhlaraidh Extension Wind Farm, said: "The Scottish Government's decision to approve our application for Bhlaraidh Extension Wind Farm is a positive move for the environment and the Highland economy. The construction of Bhlaraidh Extension will provide significant opportunities for businesses and tradespeople in the region and will also create substantial opportunities for local and regional community investment through the establishment of a new community fund, just as the existing Bhlaraidh Wind Farm community fund has done.

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"We will take some time to review the detail of the Scottish Government's decision before work begins on all of the pre-construction activity necessary to allow us to proceed with the main construction of the project, subject to reaching a Final Investment Decision (FID) which is targeted for 2024.

"We will continue to engage with and listen to the relevant community groups, residents and businesses that we have during the planning phase of the Bhlaraidh Extension development as we work towards construction."

Derek Hastings, Head of Onshore Development for SSE Renewables, said: "We welcome the Scottish Government's decision to approve this proposal. The development of Bhlaraidh Extension Wind Farm is crucial to our Net Zero Acceleration Programme, which will see SSE Renewables commit to increasing our renewables capacity fivefold in output by 2031.

"Development of projects like Bhlaraidh Extension Wind Farm will enable delivery of more sustainable homegrown energy and reduce reliance on imported gas to help keep costs down for consumers in the future.

"The Highland region is crucial to SSE Renewables and the development of projects like Bhlaraidh Extension Wind Farm, along with other projects such as Cloiche, Strathy South and Achany Extension, is proof of our long-standing and deep commitment to generating a thriving, long-term renewable energy industry in the Highlands."