Work has begun to expand windfarms in South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
ScottishPower Renewables have announced they have begun work to extend two of their windfarms. These are otherwise known as: Arecleoch Windfarm in South Ayrshire and Kilgallioch Windfarm in Dumfries and Galloway.
Image: Kilgallioch Windfarm
Altogether the work is set to add an additional 22 turbines to the sites – 13 to the one in South Ayrshire and nine in Dumfries and Galloway. It is thought that the project will boost energy capacity to around 485MW – enough to power over 300,000 homes.
Arguably, the news of generating more energy for households couldn’t have come at a better time. The latest figures from the Scottish Government show in 2023 around 491,000 households were experiencing fuel poverty.
Additionally, authorities have likewise set a target of ensuring 50% of Scotland’s overall energy consumption comes from renewable sources by 2030.
Ross Galbraith, onshore construction and operations director at ScottishPower Renewables, said the two windfarms have been, and will remain, ‘integral to the renewable energy landscape in Scotland’.
‘We’re proud to have invested around £200m across both projects to contribute to the UK government’s Clean Power 20230 plan, support local communities, jobs and supply chain opportunities and enhance the environment and biodiversity at these sites,’ Ross continued.
However, generating more renewable energy isn’t the only environmental benefit this development project has to offer. Work on Areleoch Windfarm includes restoring 34 hectares of peatland – a type of wetland that contains decomposed organic material such as plants and soil.
Meanwhile, the extension of Kilgallioch will also see 25 hectares of peatland restored.
Patrick Murray, regional director of Scotland for Farrans – the principal contractor for both sites – said: ‘We are pleased to be back on site at Kilgallioch and Arecleoch; two wind farms that Farrans has had a long history of working on with our client ScottishPower Renewables.
‘These extensions will support Scotland to grow its renewable energy provision in line with its targets. We are looking forward to working alongside our local supply chain, the neighbouring community and our client to deliver this project safely and on programme.’
Image: ScottishPower Renewables
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