A GREEN energy firm last night unveiled plans for a major windfarm in central Buchan which would generate enough electricity to power 4,000 homes – equivalent to about a third of Peterhead.
The three-turbine development is earmarked for a peat field known as St Fergus Moss, about six miles north of the Buchan port.
The Edinburgh-based Greenspan Agency has been in talks with the landowner and is currently drawing up an application for planning consent.
The project, which would be placed two-and-a-half miles from St Fergus and two miles from Crimond, involves the creation of three 330ft turbines.
The power generated, which would be supplied to the National Grid, would be equal to eight 260ft turbines.
Yesterday the ambitious proposal was revealed at a public meeting in St Fergus Hall.
Greenspan director Grant Mackie said: “We find this is a good way to meet the local people and give them details about what we’re hoping to do.
“Then we take their feedback on board and make any revisions to our plan before submitting it to the council.”
This year alone, Aberdeenshire Council has received 11 applications for 16 turbines in the Buchan area – ranging from just over 50ft to more than 330ft tall.
A similarly sized bid for a three-turbine windfarm near Auchnagatt was discussed by local councillors earlier this month.
Planning officers recommended that the local area committee refuse the plan because there were too many turbines planned for that area. They said the scheme would make the countryside “visually cluttered”.
Buchan area members are expected to rule on the scheme, after visiting the site for themselves, at their next meeting.
Mr Mackie said he believed the St Fergus Moss site was the right location.
“We have put a lot of work into picking the correct site,” he said.
Detailed plans are expected to be submitted to the local authority before the end of the year.