ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) has today (14th February) received consent from The Scottish Government to construct the 96 turbine Kilgallioch Windfarm, south of Barrhill in south west Scotland. The project will have an operational capacity of up to 288MW, which could meet the annual electricity demands of more than 170,000 homes.
Kilgallioch will become SPR’s second largest onshore wind project, behind the 539MW Whitelee Windfarm, which is the largest onshore windfarm in the UK. Up to 250 workers will be required to construct the project which will see a total investment of over £400 million. The company hopes to start work in late 2014, or early 2015, and complete within approximately 24 months.
The consent for this major renewable energy project comes shortly after ScottishPower Renewables reported a record-breaking week for electricity generated by its windfarms. Between Friday 25th January and Thursday 31st SPR’s 28 operational onshore windfarms generated more than 135 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity, enough to meet the electricity needs of more than 1.6million homes in an average weekly period*.
ScottishPower Renewables is one of the largest developers and generators of wind energy in the UK, with a current operational capacity of more than 1,200MW. During this record breaking week, the energy company’s windfarms were averaging around 70% capacity factor and peaking with a maximum of 85%.
Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, said: “Kilgallioch is a very significant renewable energy project that will make a major contribution towards both Scotland’s and the UK’s carbon reduction targets. It represents a major investment in new electricity generation in Scotland, and will sustain hundreds of jobs during construction, helping to boost the local and regional economy in South West Scotland. Prior to the construction work starting, we will look to engage with local businesses and suppliers, to see how we can get them involved in the project.
“We are delighted to receive this consent in recognition of all the hard work, effort and consultation that we have carried out to develop our plans for a large scale windfarm in a responsible manner. We have experience in delivering major windfarm projects, such as the UK’s largest at Whitelee, and we look forward to starting work at Kilgallioch.
“Scotland has fantastic resources for renewable energy developments, from onshore and offshore wind power, to wave and tidal power. This potential has seen billions of pounds invested, creating thousands of jobs and delivering substantial environmental benefits. ScottishPower Renewables alone now manages more than 1,200MW of wind power in the UK, having invested more than £1billion in the last decade. Between 2012 and 2014 we are investing a further £1.3billion in Renewables in the UK and projects like Kilgallioch are evidence of our commitment to major renewable energy projects.”
During Kilgallioch’s 25 year operational life there will be opportunities for employment in turbine maintenance and opportunities for local companies to gain new business by providing a wide range of services. SPR will also be working with local communities, Councils and other stakeholders to develop a community benefits package and to agree how any funding could be best used to support local communities.
Following two years of detailed design and planning work on Kilgallioch an application was submitted to the Scottish Government in March 2010. After the initial plans were submitted ScottishPower Renewables worked closely with Dumfries & Galloway Council and other stakeholders to refine and improve the proposals, culminating in today’s successful announcement.
Kilgallioch Windfarm was considered by The Scottish Government as a Section 36 application. In November 2012 Dumfries and Galloway councillors voted not to object to the proposals, as recommended by the planning officer. No objections were raised by South Ayrshire Council.
The windfarm will be located near to SPR’s operational Arecleoch and Mark Hill windfarms, 5km to the South of Barrhill, 5km to the Northeast of New Luce and 11 km to the Northwest of Kirkcowan.
Notes to Editors:
*Based on 135GWh (135,000,000 kWh) and average domestic consumption of 4266 kWh per year (82.03 kWh per week). 135GWh could supply the average weekly needs of 1,645,739 homes.