Scottish ministers have granted consent for BayWa r.e.’s Cloud Hill Wind Farm near Sanquhar and Kirkconnel in Dumfries and Galloway.
The company said the 10-turbine project will have an installed capacity of around 56MW and is expected to supply electricity equivalent to the needs of about 58,000 homes.
BayWa r.e. stated that the final design was shaped by feedback from the local community, Dumfries and Galloway Council and statutory bodies including NatureScot and SEPA.
As a result of the consultation process, four turbines were removed from the original layout and the substation was relocated to reduce visual and environmental impacts, according to the company.
The developer said more than 400 hectares of land will be enhanced for biodiversity, alongside peatland and wetland restoration, native tree and hedgerow planting, and upgrades to local walking routes.
The project will deliver a community benefit fund of £280,000 per year, totalling around £9.8 million over its lifetime, and contribute about £1.1 million annually in business rates, BayWa r.e. added.
Stuart Davidson, head of development at BayWa r.e. UK Ltd., said: “We are delighted that Cloud Hill Wind Farm has received consent, and this achievement is a testament to the excellent collaboration with the communities of Sanquhar, Kirkconnel, Kelloholm, and Penpont in particular.”
Davidson added: “We look forward to continuing this partnership and are excited to progress the Cloud Hill project to the next stage now we also have a Gate 2 grid connection offer confirmed.”
BayWa r.e. said Cloud Hill is its sixth UK planning consent in 2025, bringing its total consented capacity this year to more than 860MW across wind, solar and battery storage.
The company added that it will now work to discharge planning conditions ahead of construction, which is expected to begin in 2028.