The longest turbine blades installed at a UK onshore wind farm have arrived at the 33MW Mill Rig Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire.
OnPath Energy said the 80-metre blades will be fitted to six turbines that will power more than 45,000 homes annually and displace around 27,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
The developer added that deliveries are being carried out overnight ahead of commissioning and full energisation of the project in the summer.
The site will feature turbines with tip heights of 199.5 metres and blades sweeping 50% more area than those at Kype Muir Extension.
OnPath Energy said the turbines will produce around 33% more energy due to higher rated power and increased swept area.
Jules Rankin-Perez, head of construction at OnPath Energy, said: “The arrival of these blades is a defining moment for the Mill Rig project. Their scale is remarkable, but more importantly, they represent a step change in how efficiently we can generate renewable energy.
“By using the latest turbine technology, we are able to deliver more clean power from fewer turbines, which benefits both the environment and the local community.”
Jason Welch, regional vice-president and managing director of Nordex UK & Ireland, said: “The delivery of these 80-metre blades to Mill Rig marks a major milestone not only for the project, but for onshore wind in the UK. These are the largest blades ever to be installed at a UK onshore wind farm, and they will form part of the Nordex Group’s first N163/5.X turbines to be installed in the UK.
“This underlines how quickly turbine technology is advancing and the role it plays in delivering more efficient, higher-yield renewable energy projects.”
Angie Smith, senior construction project manager at Natural Power, said: “Natural Power is delighted to be supporting OnPath with the delivery of Mill Rig Wind Farm. The arrival of the first blade set to site is a major milestone for the project and is testament to the collaboration and cooperation of the whole project team.