Major electricity cable now under construction

For years, plans to generate electricity on Arran through wind turbines, solar panels or hydro schemes have been frustrated because the main cable that runs to the west of the island and links it to Kintyre, is of too small capacity to carry the power generated. However, a seabed survey of the proposed route was completed in the summer of 2009, and agreement has been reached to lay a new sub sea cable from Kintyre to Hunterston.

A new switching/transformer facility on the shore at the Kintyre side of the channel west of Arran is now being constructed, and a completion date of September 2013 has been given for the project.

Kenny Bone of Glenkiln farm put forward detailed plans for a small wind farm on Forestry land some years ago, and although the scheme was accepted to go ahead in principle, it has been held up due to the lack of adequate connection to the national grid in this area. Working closely with the Forestry Commission on Arran, Mr Bone hopes that the provision of the new sub sea cable will enable them move forward with the proposed project.