Scotland approves third biggest wind farm

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The 68-turbine wind farm near Aberfeldy in Perthshire will have a generating capacity of 204 megawatts, helping reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuel fired plants.

LONDON (Reuters) - Scottish ministers on Thursday approved construction of the third largest wind farm in Scotland, which will be able to supply thousands of homes with carbon-free electricity, the government said.

The 68-turbine wind farm near Aberfeldy in Perthshire will have a generating capacity of 204 megawatts, helping reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuel fired plants.

"This wind farm will have the capacity to meet electricity demand for more than 100,000 homes - further demonstration of Scotland's vast renewable energy potential," Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather said in a statement.

"There is no doubt that this country can become the green energy capital of Europe...The Scottish Government is commited to driving forward a diverse and balanced non-nuclear energy strategy."

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The British government in London this month called for a new generation of nuclear power plants to be built in England, but a decision on building more nuclear plants to replace existing ones in Scotland still lies with politicians in Edinburgh.

They do not appear to share London's view that the fight against carbon emissions from the power sector and climate change needs nuclear.

"We will help tackle climate change without adding to the burden of toxic radioactive waste that new nuclear power would bring," Mather said.

The Scottish Government set a new target to generate 50 percent of electricity from renewables sources by 2020.

(Reporting by Daniel Fineren)