A project from SSE Renewables for a new extension of Achany Wind Farm, near Rosehall in the Highlands, has been approved by the Scottish Government.

The now fully consented development will consist of 18 turbines with an installed capacity of up to 77 Megawatts (MW) and tip height of up to 149.9m depending on turbine selection.

Claire Black, Project Manager for Achany Extension Wind Farm, said: "The Scottish Government's decision to approve our application for Achany Extension Wind Farm is a positive move for the environment and the Highland economy.

"The construction of Achany 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 Achany 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 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 2025.

"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 Achany Extension development as we work towards construction."

Heather Donald Onshore Development And Construction Director For SSE Renewables, said: "We welcome the Scottish Government's decision to approve this project. The development of Achany Extension Wind Farm is crucial to Scotland and the UK's net zero targets as well as SSE's own Net Zero Acceleration Programme, through which SSE Renewables has committed to increasing our renewables capacity fivefold in output by 2031.

"Development of projects like Achany Extension Wind Farm will enable delivery of more sustainable homegrown energy and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, to help keep costs down for customers in the future.

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