Perth-based construction-to-renewables group Kilmac has been given the green light for a £55 million windfarm development on the Isle of Skye.
Crofters, who have been working with Kilmac on the project, welcomed Highland Council’s decision to grant consent for the Glen Ullinish array, which is to be created on a picturesque site between Ose and Stura and Allt Dughaill.
The local authority’s north planning applications committee unanimously granted consent for the scheme earlier this week.
The development will be able to generate 42MW of power, enough electricity to supply 23,000 homes per year.
Kilmac Construction, one of Scotland’s leading civil engineering and renewable energy contractors, opened an office in Dundee last year and plans another in Inverness to take advantage of the growing business opportunities in the Highlands.
The company employs around 60 permanent staff.
Director Derek Ross said: “We welcome this week’s decision by the North Planning Applications Committee to consent Glen Ullinish.
“We are glad that the council has recognised the significant potential economic and social benefits to the local communities and the local economy that the development will bring.
“Kilmac Construction has undertaken over 200 projects to date, spanning both the public and private sector. This level of civil engineering expertise made the diversification into renewables an obvious choice for us.
“We feel that this consent vindicates our decision to open our secondary office in Dundee last year and, with our headquarters in Perth, we are looking forward to growing our renewables business north into Angus and the Highlands region.”
Group director Richard Kilcullen added: “Glen Ullinish is currently our largest, most complex renewables development project.
“It required a substantial financial commitment, and took over four years to reach planning submission stage.
“The granting of planning consent was therefore very significant, not only for our development division but for the group as a whole.”
The total capital construction costs of the development are estimated at more than £55m, with around £5m likely to go to local contractors,
The array could create up to 10 on-site jobs and two apprenticeships during construction, all of which would be sourced from Skye.
The development will also create up to 20 off-site jobs in the wider supply chain during the construction phase.
The proposal will allow for investment into upgrading the island’s electricity infrastructure.
The area will also benefit from a community investment fund of £250,000 per year, while a yearly payment will also be allocated to the entire Isle of Skye. This will be worth £6.25m over the course of the project.
Angus Munro, crofter and chairman of the Eabost Grazings Committee, said: “We are delighted that, following years of hard work on the project, Glen Ullinish has now been consented by Highland Council.”