Carluke Development Trust discuss solar farm plans with ScottishPower

Research has shown that as much as seven megawatts of energy is available on the site, near the vast Blacklaw Windfarm.

That’s enough to power more than 1,000 local homes, and more importantly, earn plenty of cash which would be reinvested into the town and be a potential financial lifeline to many local groups who are seeing funding opportunities drying up with every passing month.

However, even if the site is not used to its full potential the project would still be financially viable for the Trust.

The Trust’s development manager Kathleen Feeney said: “The fact that we can get seven megawatts is a lot but for us it would cost a lot of money and would be unaffordable.

“However, the project would certainly work on a smaller scale such as a farm capable of handling between three and five megawatts.

“We are speaking to ScottishPower about getting National Grid access. The whole project depends on that.

“We also need an access road to the site, which is just as vital as the grid access.”

Kathleen also stated the Trust would be willing to work alongside a local renewable energy company to make the dream a reality.