† except five turbines which have 60m hub/100m tip to improve visual design, as agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage

Latest news

April 2009

Details of the latest updates on the project are in the April 2009 newsletter below.

Afton Newsletter April 2009 (PDF, 220KB)

March 2009

In December 2007, we were delighted to receive confirmation of East Ayrshire Council's support for the project, subject to a resolution of aviation impacts.

We submitted in March 2009 a Peat Slide Risk Assessment report to the Energy Consents Unit for assessment and we hope to receive planning consent from the Scottish Government in 2009. The peat study and Non Technical Summary can be found on the Downloads page.

Why Afton?

The site has an excellent wind resource and is located over 6km from the nearest village of New Cumnock. The majority of the village is visually screened by the range containing Hare Hill and Blackcraig Hill. The site lies within one of Scottish Natural Heritage's 'Low Sensitivity' zones making it one of the most suitable areas in East Ayrshire. The wind farm will be adjacent to existing turbines at Windy Standard wind farm, just over the border in Dumfries and Galloway.

The turbine layout has been designed to minimise visual impact while also remaining feasible and capable of satisfying all the constraints from various competing interests. The Environmental Statement submitted for the scheme details extensive environmental assessment and design work carried out over a period of around two years to satisfy Local Plan and Ayrshire Structure Plan policies and respond to the needs of Statutory Consultees assessing the application.

If built the Afton wind farm would:

Provide around 40,000 homes' annual electricity needs (80% of East Ayrshire)

Save more than 82,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year*

Contribute to the Scottish Executive Renewable Energy Targets (31% by 2011, 50% by 2020)

Reduce reliance on finite and imported energy sources

Deliver an estimated £8m local and regional electrical and civil contracts

Provide a community fund worth over £2m over the project's 25 year lifetime

' Based on UK average domestic annual consumption 4725 KWh (source BERR)
* Carbon dioxide figure based on 430g CO₂/kWh for UK 'energy mix'