Keith Anderson, CEO ScottishPower Renewables said;

“As a leading UK onshore wind developer with over 1.2 GW installed onshore wind capacity, we welcome the Government’s commitment to maintaining a stable investment framework for onshore wind.  This helps enable us to promote best practice in community engagement so as to build support in local communities for appropriately located onshore wind farm developments.

“It is important, as the Government makes clear, that there is a flexible approach to the delivery of community benefits taking into account that different approaches are suitable for different projects and communities. At ScottishPower Renewables we have delivered a diverse range of measures including bursaries for local people to attend college, tourism initiatives and the installation of energy efficiency schemes in community buildings.  DECC has put forward a range of possible options for delivering community benefit, including some that we have found to work well as part of our existing best practice.

“As part of that best practice, we already give considerable attention to ensuring that landscape and visual impact concerns are properly taken into account into our community engagement. We will carefully consider any proposed changes to planning practice guidance in this area and are committed to working with the Government on this to further deliver onshore wind projects in appropriate locations.

Media Information: Simon McMillan 0141 614 4582 / 07753 622 257