Peel and UU seek to expand Scout Moor windfarm

PLANS to expand the Scout Moor wind farm from 26 turbines to 42 have been put forward by a new company owned by United Utilities and Peel Energy.

After consulting with local communities in 2014, the partners, who were originally looking to double the size of the windfarm,  have asked Rochdale and Rossendale councils for permission to build 16 new turbines on the moorland site.

Their venture, Scout Moor Wind Farm Expansion Ltd, is promising a raft of benefits for local people if plans are approved.

They include: a long-term Moorland Restoration Management Plan to improve moorland habitats and water quality; hiring a moorland Ranger to take care of the moor and work in partnership with local agencies including the police to tackle issues such as illegal off-roading; creating of way-marked trails to enhance use of the moor as an educational resource; building new paths for pedestrians and horse riders linking wind farm access tracks to existing public rights of way; up to £750,000 a year for local authorities in business rate retention and local jobs and order procurement.

Jon England of Peel Energy said: “If approved, the expansion of Scout Moor Wind Farm will create a wind farm that will sustainably generate enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes while at the same time protecting and improving the local environment.

“There have always been good reasons for expanding the existing wind farm such as a proven track-record of high energy output and the fact that we have an existing point of access. The expansion also presents an opportunity to build on our relationships with surrounding communities, providing much needed funding for a range of initiatives and using the wind farm as a valuable resource for recreation and education.

“The expansion would also mean the restoration of around 900 hectares of peat moorland which has becoming badly degraded due to a combination of wildfire and over-grazing of sheep.”

The current windfarm of 26 25 MW turbines, which was originally developed by Peel, is now owned by a fund operated by German group MunichRe.