ScottishPower Renewables, the UK’s leading developer of onshore windfarms, has signed a turbine supply and service agreement with Gamesa for its 239 MW Kilgallioch Windfarm located near Barrhill in southwest Scotland. The project covers an area of 64km2 and lies within both South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway Council boundaries.
With a total investment of over £300 million, the windfarm will consist of 94 turbines of 2.5 MW capacity and two at 2.0 MW providing an overall capacity of 239 MW, enough green energy to power the equivalent of 130,000 households*.
Around 250 workers will begin construction in June 2015 with turbine deliveries planned to start in February 2016. First power export from the windfarm is expected in October 2016 followed by full operation of the site by 2017.
Keith Anderson, CEO ScottishPower Renewables said: “Kilgallioch windfarm will become our second largest windfarm in the UK and this year marks a real milestone as we approach 2 GW of installed onshore wind capacity – enough to power over 1 million homes. We are delighted to reach this agreement with Gamesa, and we look forward to work commencing on the site next month.”
Ricardo Chocarro, Gamesa's CEO for Europe & RoW said “This milestone agreement with ScottishPower evidences the success of our commercial strategy in northern Europe, one of Gamesa's priority markets, and demonstrates the credibility garnered by our new products - which offer market-leading efficiency and profitability - in the eyes of our customers.”
ScottishPower Renewables first started consultation on Kilgallioch in 2008 before submitting a planning application to the Scottish Government in March 2010.
Job opportunities will be created across a range of tasks including; turbine service and maintenance, waste management, grounds and roads maintenance, and the servicing and maintenance of operational buildings.
To encourage local employment opportunities in renewable energy for people living in the South West of Scotland, ScottishPower Renewables supported The Energy Skills Partnership’s initiative to develop an industry recognised Wind Turbine Technician training course in both Dumfries & Galloway and Ayr colleges. ScottishPower Renewables continues to offer support by donating turbine components and providing educational site visits for students.
*Home equivalent calculation: Based on Renewable UK industry calculation; number of megawatts (239), multiplied by the number of hours in one year (8,760), multiplied by the average load factor for offshore wind (27.82% as published in the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics), divided by the average annual household electricity consumption (4,192 kWh).
Media Information – ScottishPower Press office – 0141 614 4660.