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Search the Public Notice PortalCOMMON queries emerge when dissecting the pros and cons of wind farms: how will they affect energy bills; who do they actually benefit; and how many more are needed?
As part of our spotlight series on developments around New Cumnock, the Chronicle approached 10 companies responsible for current or planned sites in the area to clarify some key points.
Only a handful responded, and fewer still offered to answer our questions.
Invenergy is in the process of creating the 19-turbine Pencloe Wind Farm, with proposals in place for a five-turbine extension.
The company is one of around a dozen developers planning to build, or already responsible for, a wind farm on the East Ayrshire hills outside of New Cumnock.
Bosses broke down how the preferred location for a wind farm is chosen, whether the number of developments plays a part in this selection, and how the process of gathering electricity works.
"It involves assessing a number of factors over many years, including wind resource – the level of wind energy that can be used to generate renewable electricity – grid connection potential, land topography, environmental acceptability and amenity considerations.
"We analysed a wide array of factors when deciding on the location of the Pencloe Wind Farm.
"The elevation of Pencloe, at over 400m above mean sea level, suggested the site has a good wind resource.
"Through the collection and analysis of onsite wind data, the strong wind resource was confirmed.
"In addition, the receiving landscape was considered capable of accommodating a wind farm, and existing forestry roads (onsite) reduce the need to build new roads and thus, the need for construction work around the area.
"Environmental surveys, including ornithology, ecology, archaeology, hydrology and peat assessments, confirmed that an environmentally acceptable development could be delivered.
"Within the consenting process, individual and cumulative assessments, amongst other considerations, are used by the Scottish Government or local council to determine the acceptability of developments."
But how exactly is electricity gathered and then put back into the grid?
The company added: "Renewable electricity generated by our Pencloe Wind Farm will be supplied directly to the UK’s transmission network.
"Once the clean power generated by our development enters the transmission network, it can then be used to power homes, businesses and industry across Scotland and the UK.
"Electricity generated by our Pencloe Wind Farm will be delivered onto the network and then managed by the network operator.
"Inevitably, a portion of this energy will be used within the local area.
"Our development will also benefit people in the immediate vicinity by providing a community benefit fund of £5,000 per megawatt (MW) of installed capacity to the 9CC Group, which manages community benefit funds on behalf of nine community councils.
"As this fund is index-linked, our contributions will be aligned with future changes in the cost of living, with over £400,000 being made available every year.
"This commitment will result in community projects being delivered locally, benefitting local people."
Vattenfall was responsible one of the largest developments in the area- the proposed 50-turbine South Kyle Wind Farm, as well as planning the 11-turbine South Kyle II Wind Farm.
Like Invenergy, the Vattenfall team have revealed how the wind far works, how the location is decided and how it benefits the local people.
"We also look for locations that are less densely populated and avoid areas with a high concentration of residential properties.
"We also avoid protected landscapes such as National Parks, National Scenic Areas, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), as well as areas important for wildlife like Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
"Once a potential site is identified, we carry out extensive environmental and technical studies, including ecology, peat, and bird surveys. We also engage with landowners, local communities, and key stakeholders to help shape the design of the wind farm.
"We actively engage with local communities throughout the development of our wind farm projects, creating open channels for dialogue and feedback to ensure their voices help shape the project from early planning through to delivery."
"Some geographical areas are able to accommodate more wind farm developments than others due to the expanse of the landscape.
"Vattenfall takes concerns about landscape character and cumulative visual impact seriously.
"Vattenfall also considers the local development plan produced by the local planning authority and looks to develop sites that have been identified as having a lower landscape sensitivity.
"Renewable electricity generated by large scale wind farms such as South Kyle is fed directly into the UK’s National Grid.
"From there, it becomes part of the national electricity supply helping to power homes, businesses and public services. This is the UK’s system and has been in place for a considerable period of time."
But how does the wind farm impact the local people?
The company added: "Vattenfall’s approach to development and construction is focussed on delivering local socio-economic value. We pioneered this approach during the build of South Kyle Wind Farm between New Cumnock, Dalmellington and Carsphairn.
"An independent analysis of that project showed that £44million was spent – and 270 jobs were supported – in Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway.
"For South Kyle II, Vattenfall aims to expand this approach, with further commitments to spend and hire locally, create apprenticeships and support skills development.
"Although Vattenfall’s involvement in the South Kyle Community Benefit Fund concluded when it launched in summer 2023, we are inspired by how quickly and widely it is making a difference across many projects, for example supporting plans to redevelop the Trotters building, ensuring Dunaskin Bowling Club is retained as a community asset and developing a playpark in Patna.
"Likewise, it is also great to read about projects funded by the separate 9CCGroup."
In total, the Chronicle contacted 10 developers, with Red Rock also providing guidance on the process behind the Afton Wind Farm development.
OnPath, which operates Lethans Wind Farm, declined to comment, as did Brockwell Energy from North Kyle Wind Farm.
Fred Olsen Renewables of Windy Standard said the company would provide guidance in the future.
We did not hear back from any other developers.
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