Following extensive environmental studies and public consultation during 2011, RWE npower renewables has now submitted a planning application to East Ayrshire Council for a wind farm known as Ashmark Hill, 3km south west of New Cumnock.

The proposed development, which is located on farmland, would consist of seven turbines, reaching a tip height of 116 metres .

The final design has been shaped by the results of detailed site studies and wide-ranging consultation which included; the public, the local community council and organisations such as East Ayrshire Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Revisions have been made to the original proposal which were shown at the public exhibition in September and are summarised below:

• Turbine numbers have been reduced from 12 to 7
• Proposed tip heights of the turbines have been reduced from 125m to 116m
• Refined the layout of the turbines and associated infrastructure.

The proposed development would generate approximately 21 megawatts (MW), producing enough electricity to meet the average demand of around 9,700 homes.¹

Footnote:

1. The predicted annual generation at the site has been calculated based on performance data for wind farms already operating in Scotland. Should site wind and turbine characteristics result in similar output levels to these operational sites we can expect Ashmark hill wind farm to generate an amount of electricity equivalent to supplying the approximate domestic needs of around 9500 average UK households each year.

Energy predicted to be generated by the proposal has been calculated using an assumed capacity factor of 29% Scotland specific figure DECC Energy Trends Sept 2011 UK Annual load factors 1998-2010), and is based on an installed capacity of 17.5 MW. The energy capture predicted and hence derived homes equivalent or emissions savings figures may change as site specific information is gathered."

Equivalent homes supplied is based on an annual electricity consumption per home of 4700 kWh. This figure is supported by recent domestic electricity consumption data available from The Digest of UK Energy Statistics and household estimates and projections from the UK Statistics Authority.