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Current Status

The Cowans Law Community Windfarm planning application was submitted to East Ayrshire Council in August 2008. A second application for submitted in April 2010. The application can be viewed at East Ayrshire Council's online planning register.

Site Location

The site for the proposed Cowans Law Community Windfarm lies approximately 6km North East of the city of Kilmarnock the principal settlement in this part of East Ayrshire, 2.5km East of the village of Moscow and 4.5km North of the towns of Darvel, Galston and Newmilns all of which lie along the A71 road.

Key facts

• The windfarm will generate electricity for more than 28,000 homes in the local area each year
• £200,000 in community benefits each and every year the windfarm is operational
• Total generating capacity of up to 50MW
• A planning application has been submitted to East Ayrshire Council. A Non-Technical Summary is available here.

How will Cowans Law Community Windfarm help to reduce the effects of climate change?

Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas that contributes towards global warming, and is primarily released into the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels. Windfarms do not produce dangerous waste and are therefore a clean and safe alternative to fossil fuel energy sources, as used in power stations. 

Cowans Law Community Windfarm will therefore help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as each year the turbines will have the capacity to displace between 65,000 and 105,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Over the windfarm’s 25 year life-course this equates to more than 2.6 million tonnes displaced, the equivalent of taking more than 20,000 cars off the road each year.  

How does the community benefit?

• £200,000 each year in community benefits
• Educational school trips to the windfarm during its construction and operation
• Donation of educational windcharger kits for local schools as a teaching aid 
• A full-time Community Windpower Educational Ranger to work with local schools and community groups to promote learning about the environment and to assist with environmental projects. 
• Annual funding for local community groups
• Annual funding for local projects, particularly those that aim to improve the local amenity and environment.