Vattenfall has given the green light to construction of the 240MW South Kyle onshore wind farm in Scotland after an agreement to sell the project to Greencoat UK Wind on completion.
Construction of the project, located 5km to the east of Dalmellington and between East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, is set to go ahead once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
The partnership will see Vattenfall construct the wind farm and asset manage on behalf of Greencoat for a minimum of 10 years, as well as purchasing the power for a period of 15 years.
Vattenfall said it would be its largest onshore wind farm in the UK once completed. The project will feature 50 Nordex N133 4.8MW turbines, with tip heights of 149.5 metres.
The company said that in line with UK government guidance to ensure the safety of employees in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, construction for the wind farm will begin once it is appropriate to do so.
Vattenfall said it is continuously monitoring precautions concerning COVID-19 and currently plan for the wind farm to be operational Q1 2023. It had earlier been slated for 2022 delivery.
Vattenfall’s head of market development for UK onshore, Frank Elsworth, said the company was “delighted” its agreement with Greencoat meant it could fulfil its commitments to the community and contribute to major investment in the area.
He added: “Onshore wind in Scotland has the potential to make a significant contribution to reaching net zero and is the cheapest form of renewable energy generation that brings us closer to that goal.”
Vattenfall local liaison officer Carol Kane said: “Besides providing regular updates on the progress of the project, Vattenfall is also committed to engaging and working with local communities, particularly in relation to shaping the community benefit investment but also in supporting skills development, local supply chain and the environment.
“We look forward to working with the local community and will be sharing further information in the coming weeks.”
The company added that the project’s construction would pave the way for a £38m community benefit investment over the lifetime of the wind farm, shaped by the needs of the communities of Dalmellington, Patna, New Cumnock and Carsphairn.