Iberdrola-owned ScottishPower has acquired two wind projects in central Scotland which will total 165MW when developed.
The projects, which could see a combined investment of over £150m (€167m), have been developed by local individual shareholders of 3R Energy and Mitchell Energy.
The wind farms are being built near Douglas in South Lanarkshire, south of Glasgow.
ScottishPower owns the 42MW Hagshaw Hill wind farm in the area, which it has now acquired the consented rights to repower. It has also acquired rights to a separate project nearby which it will develop up to 100 MW.
The two new acquisitions added to a similar 55MW project in the area will add up to a 220MW clean energy cluster in South Lanarkshire when completed, the company said.
The company had previously acquired the Douglas West extension project nearby, with an application for 13 200 metre turbines currently in planning. Development on the project was also begun by 3R Energy.
The operational Hagshaw Hill development encompasses Scotland’s first commercial wind farm, constructed in 1995 and producing 16MW from 26 Siemens turbines, as well as a 26MW 2008 extension which will remain.
ScottishPower has owned Hagshaw Hill since 1996, which has Section 36 planning consent for up to 14 turbines with a tip height of 200m and a 20MW battery. Grid connection is already secured.
The wind farm will be expanded and repowered over two phases, from 2022 to 2027, across existing and additional land, increasing the site to 65MW in total.
Recently Iberdrola acquired French wind company Aalto Power for €100m.
In March Iberdrola also increased its stake in the €2.4bn 496MW Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, from 70% to 100%.
Iberdrola chief executive and ScottishPower chairman Ignacio Galan said: “As we begin to emerge from the coronavirus crisis, investment in green infrastructure can quickly be delivered, creating jobs and offering immediate economic and environmental benefits. This will help to support the UK’s overall recovery at this critical time.
“Globally it is essential that the financial recovery is aligned with climate goals. As today´s announcement demonstrates, companies like ours remain committed to major clean energy investments, fostering quality employment and driving the energy transition forward.”
ScottishPower chief executive Keith Anderson said: “Onshore wind is a crucial tool in tackling climate change, and renewable energy is increasingly becoming the backbone of the UK’s power mix.
“25 years ago we took on Scotland’s first commercial windfarm, which helped to kick-start a clean energy industry that now employs a quarter of a million people in the UK. We see the regeneration of this project as a catalyst for launching a green recovery for the UK economy.”