Site investigations for a 33MW wind project close to the border of East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire in Scotland have now been completed.
OnPath Energy’s contractor Natural Power began the investigations in May of this year for the six-turbine Mill Rig wind farm.
The array is expected to enter commercial operation in spring 2026 (picture of OnPath’s Kype Muir wind farm).
Construction is anticipated to begin in March 2025.
The scheme will deliver a community benefit fund of up to £167,000 per year and around £91m investment in the local economy.
OnPath Energy projects director Gordon Thomson said: “We have been carrying out a wide range of tests and surveys on the Mill Rig site since May and are pleased with the results from this.
“Once operational, Mill Rig is a site that will deliver 30 years’ worth of clean energy to homes across the country as well as delivering significant benefits for local communities for many years.
“While we are still to confirm a grid connection date, we expect the site to be fully operational in 2026.”
Mill Rig will be built using modern turbines which will be among the UK’s most efficient, the developer added.
Located near Darvel in East Ayrshire, the site was given the green light by South Lanarkshire Council in 2022.
Natural Power senior geotechnical engineer Sam Fisher said: “Natural Power was delighted to deliver the site investigation works at Mill Rig near Darvel.
“As a local supplier, headquartered less than 50 miles from the site, we are very familiar with the challenging ground conditions and access issues the site faces.
“We have specialist drilling rigs for accessing these soft ground and forestry environments and a deep understanding of how the ground conditions encountered will impact the construction phase of the project.
“We have been fortunate to work with OnPath for several years now and are proud to support them in their vision to power a more sustainable future through renewable energy.”
OnPath Energy has obtained planning permission for 14 wind farms and operates 11 onshore arrays across Scotland and northern England, with a combined installed generation capacity of approximately 280MW.