ScottishPower has unveiled plans to build a third large-scale windfarm in Scotland - at Harestanes and Ae Forest, near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway. The project will be of a similar scale to the proposed windfarm at Whitelee Forest, and could accommodate up to 180 turbines and generate enough clean electricity to power 250,000 homes.

The Scottish Executive is aware of the project and if approved Harestanes windfarm alone could meet a third of the Scottish Executive's renewable energy target of 18% by 2010 and make a major contribution to the consultative target of 40% by 2020.

The site was selected following an extensive search across Scotland to evaluate the best locations for new windfarms. Harestanes is one of only a few sites capable of accommodating large-scale wind energy generation, and it has good wind resource, good access via the nearby Motorway and there is spare capacity on the nearby electricity grid network to take the power.

Discussions and plans for the project are at an early stage, although ScottishPower is already engaged in early consultations with landowners and planning authorities to discuss the scope of the windfarm. ScottishPower wants to hear the views of the local community and all interested parties are being invited to put their comments forward. A report outlining plans will shortly be sent to local community councils and this will be followed by a series of public exhibitions. Following the consultation period and environmental assessment, an application will be submitted to the Scottish Executive at the end of this year.

ScottishPower is the UK's biggest windfarm developer with experience of developing and operating 11 in the UK and Ireland generating 128MW and around 500MW currently in development.

ScottishPower Head of Wind Development, Alan Mortimer said: "Harestanes is the third in our series of large windfarms, and as such is a very important element of our plans to expand renewable energy production. The next stage will be a thorough consultation with all those involved, including the local communities, before finalising the design and the environmental assessment, after which an application will be submitted to the Scottish Executive."

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Simon McMillan                                                                0141 566 4875