Wind Power

It is pure, plentiful and in Scotland we have the right kind and quantity. Wind power is propelling our drive for new, clean, energy and, as a fresh decade begins, Scotland is becoming a renewable energy powerhouse.

As the windiest country in Europe, containing 25% of its wind capacity, our picturesque shores and waters have long held the potential to produce vast quantities of power for our homes, workplaces and offices.

Indeed experts claim that, if total wind capacity was harnessed, Scotland could fulfill the country's electricity demand several times over and still produce a surplus to export.

Now some of the most progressive projects to date, and others recently announced, are cementing Scotland's position as a European leader; placing the country on course to exceed its target of 50% electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Off-Shore Wind Farm Ventures

In January, a massive piece in this jigsaw was put in place when licences were granted for the two biggest off-shore wind farms ever built in this country to be constructed in the Firth of Forth and Moray Firth.

Almost 1,000 giant turbines, towering up to 200 metres in height, will channel the power of Scotland's surging off-shore gusts.

The two developments combined will produce enough electricity to power roughly every house in Scotland. Both are partnerships between Scottish and overseas companies and should be feeding into the National Grid by 2018.

The Firth of Forth venture - which will be sited up to 25 miles off the Fife coast - is a partnership between Scottish and Southern Energy and Texan firm, Fluor. It will create 700 permanent jobs.

The Moray Firth enterprise, situated at Smith Bank 16 miles off the north east coast, is a union between Aberdeenshire company, SeaEnergy Renewables, and Portuguese firm, EDP Renovaveis.

Last September, generators at Scotland's first off-shore wind-farm at Robin Rigg in the Solway Firth began to turn. Built by E.ON, it will, in time, produce enough electricity for 120,000 homes.

It is little wonder the development of off-shore wind projects, therefore, has been hailed as Scotland's greatest industrial opportunity since the early 1970s.

Onshore Wind Projects

Of course, it is not only at sea that Scotland has successfully exploited its natural asset. There is an air of positivity blowing in over land, too.

Onshore wind farms in Scotland have sprung up at an accelerated rate in the last few years, due to technological advance and the desire to meet targets to protect the environment.

There are currently 89 onshore wind projects in operation in Scotland with 19 being built at present.

The country has also enjoyed some notable firsts in this area.

The 322MW Whitelee project near Glasgow, when completed in May last year, became the largest onshore windfarm in Europe. One hundred and forty Siemens 2.3MW wind turbines began turning, with the potential to produce enough green energy for 180,000 homes.

Consent has been given for another 36 turbines this year, adding 140MW to the total and capable of generating enough power for a further 70,000.

Described as 'a milestone in the history of Scotland', ScottishPower's Whitelee cost £300 million, employed 500 people and will prevent half a million tonnes of damaging carbon being released into the atmosphere every year. That is roughly the equivalent of taking 95,000 cars off the road every 12 months.

Taking the lead

As the world wakes up to its climate responsibilities, large scale works such as these are proving Scotland's credentials as a green crusader.

Hadyard Hill Wind Farm in Carrick, too, was also ahead of its time when commissioned in 2006.

Built by Scottish and Southern Energy, it was the first in Scotland to generate over 100 megawatts of power - almost enough to service 70,000 households.

Recipe for success

It is not just the volume of wind in Scotland which has paved the way for successful and viable wind farms, it is the frequency.

Based on averages, a wind turbine in a European Union country will operate at 25% capacity due to variable wind. In Scotland, wind consistency means a Scottish turbine will normally work to 35% capacity or more.

A small community windfarm in Shetland at Burradale actually recorded a world record in 2005, operating at a staggering 57.9% of its capacity in a single year.

As the new decade begins, Scotland possesses both the will and the expertise to push forward with advances in renewable energy. It also has its biggest natural ally in its wind. It is clean and it is green and, unlike oil or gas, there is no threat of the resource being drained any time soon.

A project on Lewis, Beinn Mhor, which will generate four times the entire electricity demand of the Western Isles, has also just been consented.

Work on the Beauly to Denny power line upgrade begins soon, ensuring the country has the modern infrastructure to transport this increase in sustainable energy. Scotland is clearly moving into new and exciting times.