Planning application submitted
At the end of 2023 RES submitted a planning application for a wind farm and energy storage proposal near Torfichen Hill, which lies south of Gorebridge, in Midlothian, Scotland.
Reasons to support the proposal
We welcome the UK Government’s recent commitment to attracting record levels of investment in renewable energy in the King’s Speech. Projects like Torfichen are a key part of that investment pipeline and could deliver millions of pounds of benefit for local businesses and communities for decades to come. If consented, Torfichen Wind Farm is predicted to deliver a £150 million boost for the local economy.
Reasons to support the proposal are as follows:
- Would generate clean, low-cost renewable electricity for around 117,000 homes each year or enough electricity to power 195,500 electric cars per annum, representing 21% of the current EV fleet in the UK
- Includes ambitious biodiversity enhancement proposals, including peatland restoration, broadleaved woodland creation, acid grassland restoration and species-rich meadow/grassland creation
- Predicted to deliver £10.2 million of inward investment in Midlothian during construction
- Estimated to deliver £55 million of economic activity linked to operations and maintenance
- Could deliver a tailored community benefit package worth £27 million over its lifetime
- Would provide £64.8 million in business rates over operational lifetime to Midlothian Council, supporting vital services
- Outwith any landscape or cultural heritage designations
- Would contribute to Scotland’s legally binding 2045 net zero carbon emissions target
We are in a climate emergency, cost of living crisis and also seeking to enhance the security of our energy supply. Onshore wind can address all of these and projects like Torfichen Wind Farm can play an important part.
To find out more about the project please click here.