The proposed wind turbine facility in North Lewis is progressing.

Lewis Wind Power, the company behind the proposed wind farm off Stornoway in Scotland, has signed an agreement – which includes the purchasing of over 150 turbines – with REpower UK to create more jobs in the Western Isles and boost the local economy.

The wind power company is a joint venture between AMEC, a service and engineering solutions provider, and British Energy, the UK’s largest provider – and lowest carbon emitter – of electricity. It is seeking planning approval from the Scottish Government for its proposal to build a 176 turbine wind farm at the Arnish facility, in North Lewis, in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

REpower UK sells and services wind turbines on behalf of REpower Systems AG, an international wind turbine manufacturer that has over 1,000 employees worldwide.

Henning von Barsewisch, Managing Director of REpower UK, commented: “The development of wind power across Scotland can have massive spin-off benefits for the local supply chain resulting in increased investment and long-term and sustainable job creation.

“This agreement confirms the potential of the Arnish Yard as a major contributor to the economy of the Outer Hebrides and Scotland as a whole and furthers the country’s position as a leading innovator in wind power generation.”

British Energy believes the agreement between the two companies would boost the Western Isles’ economy and “secure the Isles as a leading centre for technology”.

David Hodkinson, Lewis Wind Power’s Director, said: “We are pleased that REpower has entered into discussions that should open the way for the Lewis Wind Farm towers to be manufactured at Arnish. This initiative follows the announcement last month that a consortium of Highlands and Islands firms were coming together to begin negotiations for the construction of the Lewis Wind Farm.

“Taken together, these initiatives underline our long-standing, irrevocable, commitment to ensure that the Lewis Wind Farm makes a significant contribution to the economies of Scotland, and particularly the Outer Hebrides.”

Lewis Wind Power’s proposal was approved by the Western Isles Council in February 2007 and is awaiting final approval from the Scottish Government.