Plans to increase the number and size of turbines at a controversial windfarm in Moray are going on display to the public next week.
Dutch renewable energy firm Infinergy received planning permission in 2011 for the proposed Dorenell scheme near the Cabrach.
Despite hundreds of objections from residents the Scottish Government approved the plans to build 59 turbines.
Now the company is applying for fresh permission to build between 62 and 64 turbines, and increase the height of the majority of them from 375ft to 450ft.
The firm’s boss Esbjorn Wilmar said that with the site not due to connect to the national grid until 2018, the changes had been proposed in order to increase its capacity from 177 megawatts to 220.
He said: “Technology has moved on considerably since the original application was submitted.
“There are now turbines on the market which will make much better use of the outstanding wind speeds without compromising the area’s natural beauty and ecology.
“Maximising output from the site will make an important contribution to the renewable energy targets that have been set by the Scottish Government as part of policy to ensure greater diversity and security of electricity supplies.”
Rob McHugh, a long-standing opponent of the windfarm, reacted with resignation to the news yesterday.
The guest house owner, who lives at Auchanhandoch, near Dufftown, said: “More than 600 people objected to the original proposal but the Scottish Government passed it anyway.
“These things will continue to be built until the subsidies are stopped.”
Infinergy will hold open days at the Grouse Inn, Lower Cabrach, on Tuesday, June 17, from 2-7pm. It will then repeat the process at Mortlach Memorial Hall in Dufftown two days later between the same times.
The company expects to submit a new application to the Scottish Government in October.