Ski Centre to generate own power

The Lecht Ski Centre in the Cairngorms National Park is to generate its own power by installing a wind turbine.

Permission for the single, 150kw turbine was approved by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) Planning Committee today, Friday 16th September 2011.

Meeting in Boat of Garten the committee heard that the tri-blade turbine, measuring 43.4m to the tip of the blade when vertical, would be located on the edge of the car park at the south facing side of the ski centre on a degraded area of moorland.

CNPA Planning Committee Chairman, Duncan Bryden, said: “We support small-scale renewable schemes in the National Park that fit with the local landscape and do not adversely affect the wildlife or enjoyment of others who live nearby. We’re satisfied this application meets these requirements and congratulate the applicant for taking steps to reduce the costs to their business, by generating their own electricity and contributing towards efforts to tackle climate change.”

“We’re keen to help individuals, communities and businesses explore ways they might be able to generate energy from renewable sources and ways they can reduce their energy consumption.”