This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Orkney wind farm opens at Spurness
11/03/2005
Spurness wind farm in Orkney was officially opened today by Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace who went on to an event to mark the handover of a roof-top turbine at Sanday School.
The Minister said that all forms of wind energy - from small scale roof-top turbines to major windfarms - can make a contribution to cutting harmful emissions.
Mr Wallace continued:
"Today's events demonstrate the contribution wind power can make at all levels in the fight against climate change - regardless of whether it is supplying electricity to cities, towns, villages or even a small school.
"We are committed to generating 40 per cent of Scotland's electricity from renewable sources by 2020. This will be from a mix of renewable sources, including on and off shore wind, marine, solar and biomass.
"By doing so we will cut the carbon dioxide emissions causing global warming and create jobs. Spurness wind farm will make an important contribution in helping to achieve these goals.
"But projects like the one at Sanday School are no less significant. I am delighted Scottish and Southern Energy have donated a turbine to the school which will provide electricity, help cut energy bills and play its part in the children's education.
"Small contributions like this can make a big difference. That is exactly why we recently extended the Scottish Community and Household Renewables Initiative, which supplies grants for small scale renewable projects.
"We need people at all levels to accept that climate change is a very real problem which we must all help to do something about. Doing nothing is not an option and we must all make a contribution - no matter how large or small."
Sanday Community School has pupils aged 3 to 16 (nursery to secondary, 4th year) and shares the site with a community centre, where the informal lunch will be held.
SSE will gift a rooftop wind turbine to the school. It will produce up to 4,200 units of electricity and reduce carbon emissions by around 1.8 tonnes per annum. The device will be a "Swift" turbine, manufactured in Scotland by Renewable Devices (based in Penicuik, near Edinburgh). The company received Executive funding through SMART and SPUR awards and is an excellent example of how the Executive's policies have brought economic benefits of wind energy to talented Scottish companies.
Spurness wind farm is owned and operated by Perth-based Scottish and Southern Energy, the UK's largest generator of electricity from renewable resources.
The wind farm consists of three turbines, with a total generating capacity of 8.25MW in total, enough to supply 6,000 homes.
The Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative provided funding totalling £5.9 million over period 2002-03 to 2004-05.
In December the Executive announced extension of Initiative for a further three years plus a further £6.6 million investment.
The Executive's target is that 40 per cent of electricity generated in Scotland should come from renewable sources by 2020.