Ministers back new 71-turbine wind farm
The 71-turbine facility at Harestanes, south-west of Moffat, in Dumfries and Galloway, will be capable of generating 213 megawatts of electricity, enough power to supply an estimated 120,000 homes.
The £200 million development is the largest renewable energy scheme to be given the green light since plans were approved last year to build the biggest onshore wind farm in Europe on a vast stretch of moorland at Whitelee, near Glasgow.
The 140-turbine Whitelee scheme will have a maximum output of 322MW, enough electricity to power nearly every house in Glasgow - or 280,000 homes.
Both giant schemes are being developed by CRE Energy, the renewables subsidiary of ScottishPower.
But the Scottish Government has rejected plans to build one of Scotland's largest onshore wind farms in a forest in the heart of Aberdeenshire and proposals for a major wind farm in Perthshire.
Commenting on the decisions, Jim Mather, the energy minister, said: "Scotland has a vast potential to generate electricity from renewable energy. Meanwhile, this government is building an energy strategy which will include the whole renewable mix - from biomass to the energy we can generate from waves and tides."
He added: "While we cannot have onshore wind farms anywhere or at any price to the environment, onshore wind will continue to play a crucial role over the next few years.
"The proposal at Harestanes will provide enough power for 120,000 homes - another step towards fulfilling our green energy potential."
Keith Anderson, the managing director of ScottishPower's renewables, said: "This wind farm alone will save carbon-dioxide emissions of almost 500,000 tonnes each year."
Construction work is scheduled to begin in the spring.
Mr Anderson added: "If we as a nation are to realise our renewables potential, and achieve our challenging renewable targets of 6GW by 2020, then the UK and Scottish governments must continue to provide real commitment in terms of infrastructure, investment and political leadership."
• The schemes which have been rejected are a 40-turbine development by Amec Wind Energy at Clashindarroch Forest near Huntly, and plans by I&H Brown to construct a 27-turbine wind farm at Calliacher near Aberfeldy.