Benefits
The Hill of Fiddes Wind Farm is expected, on the basis of the measured onsite wind data and long term wind statistics, to generate between 17,400,000 kWh (units) of electricity annually, enough to power 3700 average homes.
This will make a contribution to national and regional targets for the provision of renewable electricity generation,
It can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity generating industry by harnessing wind as an alternative to the burning of fossil fuels, in line with the government's national energy goals.
At the projected generation levels it could displace the following gaseous emissions per year which would otherwise have been produced by a "load following" power station burning fossil fuel:
- 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per annum;
- 174 tonnes of sulphur dioxide (SO2) per annum; and
- 52 tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx) per annum.
It will contribute to the UK government goal of diversifying the supply of energy and reducing energy imports in order to gain a greater supply security.
By reducing world carbon dioxide emissions it will directly contribute to reducing the extent and rate of global climate change.
It will strengthen the renewable energy industry and the associated employment opportunities in the UK which has been estimated to provide up to 35,000 jobs by 2020 (DTI, 2004).
There will, also, be direct and indirect economic benefits for the local community during the construction phase of the project.
