Low Carbon has revealed plans for a new 138MW wind farm in Strathearn, Perthshire, at Invergeldie Estate near Comrie and St Fillans. The updated design proposals incorporate feedback from local communities and statutory consultees, as well as two years of ecological and ornithological surveys. Further surveys and community input will be considered before submitting a formal application to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit in the first half of 2025.
The proposed wind farm is part of a broader initiative by estate owner Oxygen Conservation, which includes native woodland planting, restoration of peatland and wetland areas, and reintroducing lost species. This strategy aims to enhance biodiversity, create sustainable jobs, foster eco-tourism, and improve the local community's prosperity and resilience to climate change.
A report by MKA Economics highlights the potential for a £27.7 million community benefit fund over the 40-year operational life of the wind farm, with approximately £700,000 available annually. As part of its commitment to local engagement, Low Carbon plans to partner with Foundation Scotland for consultations to shape the community benefit fund and explore opportunities for shared ownership in line with Scottish Government guidelines.
Low Carbon's senior project development manager, Craig Cunningham, commented, “Today, we have an opportunity to harness low-cost wind power to deliver clean, renewable energy as part of a wider innovative biodiversity strategy for the Invergeldie estate. At the same time, it has the potential to deliver a major multi-million-pound package of social and economic benefits for local communities and businesses across the Perth and Kinross region.”
