The Crystal Rig windfarm near Dunbar is to be extended by a capacity great enough to power more than 13,000 homes, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.

The First Minister announced the £22m investment during his visit to Natural Power, the Dumfries & Galloway based company, who develop and operate wind farm sites like Crystal Rig.

Speaking as he officially opened the new office space at the Natural Power's Headquarters, the First Minister said: "The 27 MW Crystal Rig IIa extension to the East Lothian windfarm will include nine turbines and have the capacity to power 13,000 homes. Today's announcement completes the most exciting 10 days in the history of renewables in Scotland.

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"It follows the consent also granted to the near 548 MW Clyde Project in South Lanarkshire and the 45 MW RWE npower Cogen Biomass Plant to be situated at Tullis Russell papermill site in Markinch. And Natural Power has today marked consent of 2,000MW to renewable energy production."

These developments help prove the Scottish economy's resilience in challenging times and show that it is virtually certain that Scotland will now meet its target to generate 31% of electricity from renewable sources by 2011.

"I am delighted that Natural Power is growing as a company and growing in Scotland. It is hugely important to the rural economy of the southwest of Scotland that such companies have their headquarters in places like Dalry. I wish both Natural Power and Crystal Rig a long and prosperous future in renewable energy in Scotland," he concluded.

(GK/JM)