Scotland’s most powerful wind farm opened

Scotland’s most powerful wind farm opened this week, to a rallying call from environmentalists for continued backing for the renewable technology. The Crystal Rig facility on the Scottish Borders, which has twenty five turbines, will contribute to the country’s aim of generating 18% clean energy by 2010.

The wind farm is operated by Natural Power Consultants, and received planning permission from the Scottish Executive back in 2001. An extension to the original twenty turbine permit was granted a year later by the local authority.

"We welcome the contribution this scheme should provide in helping to avert climate disaster,” began Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren. “Renewable energy generation is a critical part of the solution: schemes such as this offer Scotland a chance to eliminate many of the pollutants associated with other forms of energy generation. The urgent need for more sensitively sited onshore wind power schemes must not be allowed to be blown off course," he added.