NEW PROPOSALS for an 18-turbine windfarm in the Angus Glens will be the subject of consultation this month.
Eneco Wind UK and Scottish Water have announced plans for a development at Backwater Reservoir as the utility company investigates self-sufficiency.
The developer will explore possibilities for a windfarm of up to 54MW on Scottish Water land on the reservoir’s east shore.
The firm said the turbines would generate almost a third of its annual energy requirement.
Known as Macritch Hill after the 475-metre elevation to the east, the project will stand on the shoreside parcel of land at the 397-metre Little Ley.
Parts of the development could be seen in the southern part of Cairngorms National Park.
Eneco will now conduct a period of “comprehensive” public and stakeholder consultation.
Scottish Water commercial director Chris Banks said: “We want to become increasingly energy efficient while helping to meet Scotland’s ambitious renewable energy targets.
“That’s why we are exploring the feasibility of renewable energy development on suitable Scottish Water land.
“Macritch Hill in Angus is a site which has been identified for possible development and has the potential to generate up to a third of Scottish Water’s annual energy requirement.”
The site is nine miles from the centre of Kirriemuir, and two and a half miles away from another windfarm proposal.
Plans for the 7.2Mw development by West Coast Energy were previously refused by Angus councillors.
Permission was turned down, in spite of a local authority report advising acceptance.
However the developer has applied to Holyrood to appeal a decision blocking its project near Kingoldrum.
The firm asked ministers to carry out a review in October, and was met with anger by Angus Communities Windfarm Action Group (Acwag), members of which have already committed to fighting any U-turn.
WCE said that it remained “committed to delivering’’ the seven-turbine project.
Eneco Wind UK director Guy Madgwick said: “We have an ambition to ensure all the energy we produce will be completely sustainable by 2030 and it is through partnerships such as this that we hope to accelerate progress towards this goal.”