PNE Wind UK, a part of German company PNE Wind, has outlined its plans to set up 591MWof onshore wind facilities in Britain, with a primary focus on Scotland.
The wind energy projects are estimated to generate enough power for 260,000 homes. PNE Wind UK managing director George Mager told Bloomberg that the Scottish government is supportive of onshore wind projects and is allowing quick processing of applications.
“Planning consent and the time it takes to get planning consent is a key issue,” Mager said. All of the wind farms, except one, will be set up in Scotland, Mager said.
Scotland seeks to generate all of the country’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020; currently it derives 35% of its total power consumption from renewables.
PNE submitted planning applications for four farms with a total installed capacity of 120MW, Mager said.
The Scottish Forestry Commission has also granted the company exclusive rights to install 100MW to 200MW of power over the next five years.