Falck Renewables to monitor wind farms across Europe from new offices

A new hi-tech operation which will monitor output from wind farms across Europe was opened by wind farm developers Falck Renewables.  It was part of a hat trick in the Highlands this week as they carried out opening ceremonies for three new projects. 

First in line was the 20-turbine Millennium wind farm near Glenmoriston which was declared open by Danny Alexander MP, immediately followed by a ceremony at the company’s new operational headquarters at Dochfour Business Centre near Inverness.   The Kilbraur wind farm near Rogart is due to be opened by Falck’s Managing Director Wille Heller on Tuesday.

Rory Hutcheson playing in Millennium wind farm 

The company, who are part of the Italian-based Falck Group, is one of the biggest players in wind energy in Scotland with five wind farms in operation and many others in the pipeline.  With a number of wind farms under construction they will soon be operating around 16 wind farms across Italy, France, Spain as well as the UK.  And thanks to modern technology staff in Inverness can monitor and manage the company’s sites right across Europe as they come on stream.

The Millennium and Kilbraur wind farms follow the company’s earlier projects at Boyndie in Aberdeenshire, Ben Aketil on Skye and Earlsburn in Stirlingshire.  

Falck are unique amongst developers in Scotland in offering the opportunity for local people to own a stake in their wind farms via a series of local wind energy co-operatives.  More than 2,500 people have invested £3.9million in wind farm co-ops in Scotland through their partnership with Energy4All.

Danny Alexander MP said “It is a pleasure to mark the opening of three developments which are helping to tackle the challenge we face from climate change and bringing long term jobs to the Highlands.

"Falck has worked with the local communities around their wind farms to ensure the developments are well-sited, and that disruption during installation is kept to a minimum.  The fact that communities themselves have been able to buy a long term stake in the projects is an excellent model which I hope can be followed by future developments of the Highlands' huge renewable energy resources.

"Falck's decision to bring their European operational headquarters to the Highlands is a big vote of confidence in the renewable sector's future in our region.  We must keep working to fulfil the huge potential which exists."

Falck’s Managing Director Willie Heller said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome all contractors, members of the local community and employees who played a part in making these projects a success to join with us in marking the opening of the wind farms and the office.

“As Falck continues to grow, so, hopefully will the operational headquarters here in Inverness which is great news for the local economy in terms of creating new jobs.

William Heller and Danny Alexander MP

“Millennium and Kilbraur wind farms have already made a significant impact on communities local to the projects in terms of community benefit, the chance for people to invest in their local wind farm through the Great Glen Energy and Kilbraur Wind Energy co-ops and the creation of local jobs both directly and indirectly.

“Just as importantly we are making a contribution to combating climate change though the wind farms which will produce enough clean, green electricity to supply just under 50,000 homes.”

Councillor Ian Ross, Economic Development Chairman of The Highland Council, said “The Highlands has a major role to play in meeting Scottish and UK targets on renewable energy.  We have a superb range of natural energy resources and this makes us a perfect location for wind, marine and biomass energy developments and we need to do all we can to maximise the benefits we gain from this. There is a need to ensure we promote high quality projects which deliver longer term economic and community development for the Highlands as a whole.  

"Falck Renewables UK are already playing a significant role in renewable energy in the Highlands but the news that they plan to use their base in Inverness as operational headquarters for all of their wind farms across Europe is a coup for the Highland capital and I'm delighted to be here to open this facility."