Scottish contractor RJ McLeod has been awarded the balance of plant contract by Banks Renewables for the 15-turbine Kype Muir wind farm extension project near Strathaven in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
RJ McLeod will directly employ about 30 people on the project, with around a further 50 or so people, performing various roles, employed by subcontractors on the project.
The 15 turbines will combine with the existing 26 to bring capacity up to 155MW.
Construction work is due to start in the coming weeks.
The Kype Muir extension is expected to be generating electricity by the end of next year.
RJ McLeod business development manager Jamie Corser said: “We’re delighted to be back working with Banks Renewables, off the back of successful contracts at the original Kype Muir wind farm and nearby Middle Muir wind farm.
“Being a Scottish company that’s been around since the 1950s, employing locally to sites is something we have always believed in and something Banks has always believed in. We’re very much on the same page.”
Banks Renewables head of projects Gordon Thomson (pictured) said: “It’s great to be working with RJ McLeod again after the excellent relationship we built with them during the construction of our Middle Muir and Kype Muir wind farms.
“Onshore wind farms deliver significant investment in rural areas in Scotland.
“Our Kype Muir wind farm alone will invest almost £100m locally to nearby communities around Strathaven over its lifetime.
“The new extension at Kype Muir will not only provide a financial boost to local economies, but also provide job opportunities for local people too.
“RJ McLeod’s commitment to employing locally was very clear from the beginning of the tendering process and is one of the factors which made it the ideal candidate to work with on this project.”
A new community partnership agreement linked to the Kype Muir Extension scheme is also expected to deliver around £10m in community funding for local projects and groups around the local area over the site’s 30-year life.