PRESS RELEASE

CATAMOUNT Energy Ltd has announced proposals to submit a planning application for a 29-turbine wind farm near the Berry Burn, 12km south of Forres, in Morayshire.

The UK-based company has been working on the plans for more than a year and has now organised a consultation programme for the local community.

Two exhibitions will be held later this month as follows:

Thursday, August 19, Forres Town Hall, High Street, Forres 2pm-8pm

Friday, August 20, Rothes Town Hall, High Street, Rothes 2pm-8pm

Invitation letters are being sent to almost 3,000 households surrounding the site, and adverts are being placed in local newspapers.

The proposed Berry Burn Wind Farm will generate enough electricity for 44,500 homes, and requires approval from the Scottish Executive.

Scottish Ministers are committed to achieving 18% of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2010.

The 13sq km moorland site, part of the Altyre Estate, is currently used for sheep grazing and occasional grouse shooting. It was selected after a lengthy process to identify potential wind farm sites across the UK, taking into account landscape sensitivities as well as planning, environmental and technical criteria.

Turbines, maximum height 104metres to the blade tip, will be sited on the lower slopes of Carn Ghiubhais and Carn Kitty in order to minimise visual impact.

Around 70 jobs will be created during the construction period and some £7 million in civils contracts will be available for tender. Once operational, two/three full-time maintenance jobs will be created, together with further opportunities for companies supplying goods and services.

Local labour will be used wherever possible and local companies will be encouraged to tender for works.

The planning application will be submitted to Moray Council and the Scottish Executive following the public exhibitions.

Footnote:

Catamount energy Ltd is owned by Statkraft of Norway and Catamount Energy Corp of the US. Statkraft is the major producer of electricity in Norway and one of the two leading producers of renewable energy in Europe. Catamount Energy Corp, a subsidiary of the state utility Central Vermont Public Service, has been developing power projects for more than 15 years.

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