SSE Renewables has achieved first power at the Gordonbush Extension wind farm in Scotland a few weeks after the delivery of the 38MW project’s 11 Siemens Gamesa turbines.
The first four turbines started turning this week and generating power.
Gordonbush Extension is scheduled to be fully operational in mid-2021 and is situated beside SSE Renewables’ 71.75MW operational Gordonbush wind farm, which was commissioned in 2012.
Gordonbush Extension is being constructed 10km north east of Brora in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands.
The development is the first to be built by SSE Renewables on a merchant basis, which means no subsidies or CfD support were used to finance the project.
The key milestone of first power at the Gordonbush Extension site has been reached by the SSE Renewables project delivery team after overcoming the worst Scottish winter weather in years.
SSE Renewables onshore projects head Derek Hastings said: “It is a momentous occasion for the Gordonbush Extension team and all of us at SSE Renewables to have reached ‘first power’.
“We should not underestimate the trying conditions under which this was achieved. Not only did the team have to deal with deep snow and storm conditions but when the snow melted, mud and melted snow brought their own challenges.
“Everyone has been working safely and flexibly while remaining compliant with Covid regulations.
“The team have done a tremendous job in trying circumstances and colleagues across SSE Renewables can be immensely proud of their involvement and achievement.”