The national drive to cut dependence on fossil fuels has seen a target set for half our electricity to be from renewable sources by 2020. The Scottish Government also wants to achieve an interim target of 31% by 2011.

This means that many new wind farms, biomass, hydro schemes and energy from waste schemes will have to be developed. Each proposal will need to meet a series of legal requirements and all require planning permission or other project consent.

Involving our team from the start means that any project can be scrutinised with a view to oncoming potential obstacles. If these obstacles can be avoided at the outset the passage from paper proposal to operating energy plant will be much quicker, smoother and less costly.

Planning permission is required for most renewable energy developments including on-shore wind farms. Scottish Ministers must give consent for any electricity generating station with a capacity exceeding 50 megawatts. However, for generating stations wholly or mainly driven by water, the threshold drops to one megawatt.

Environmental Impact Assessments are also normally required for major energy developments. Our team has the expertise and experience to advise you in all these areas. Equally important is that we have a long record of providing the guidance needed to ensure that renewable energy schemes come to fruition.

For more information please contact Alastair Mckie.