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Scotland’s national forest estate has revealed it now has more than 1GW of renewable energy capacity.
Forest Enterprise Scotland said the majority of the capacity is from onshore windfarms with the remainder from small-scale hydro.
It added it also receives around £11 million a year from leasing land for energy projects and the income is being reinvested into various forestry projects.
One example is the 136 MW Harestanes windfarm, which was officially opened by the Scottish rural economy cabinet secretary, Fergus Ewing in 2014.
Approximately £300,000 of community benefit is paid each year into a fund for the people of Annandale and Nithsdale. And the windfarm has also created 11 km of new tracks and paths throughout the forest, which the public can use for recreation.
The head of estate development at Forest Enterprise Scotland added, Michael Ansell said the forests are “ideally placed to help the Scottish Government meet its renewable energy targets and deliver for communities at the same time”.
“We are continuing to support renewable energy with around a further 80MW under construction through a number of projects,’ added Ansell.
“Another 330MW of renewable capacity is awaiting construction and a further 250MW is awaiting the green light through the planning system.
“All renewable energy projects on the national forest estate will continue to be developed sensitively through the open planning process with full consultation with the public.”
Scottish Renewables’ policy manager, Stephanie Conesa, said the work by Forest Enterprise Scotland has helped cut carbon emissions and brought benefits to remote communities across the country.
“Of particular note is Forest Enterprise Scotland’s ongoing commitment to deliver renewable energy projects in partnership with those communities, producing sustainable incomes which are reinvested locally,’ said Conesa.
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