Whitelee Wind Farm Set for 1 GW Capacity Under ScottishPower Plan
ScottishPower has announced plans to repower Whitelee Wind Farm, the UK's largest onshore wind farm, with a £1.5 billion investment that would nearly double its installed capacity from 539 MW to around 1 GW. The proposal involves replacing the site's existing 215 turbines with 124 larger, more efficient turbines, extending the operational life of the facility while increasing renewable electricity generation.
Located near Glasgow, Whitelee currently generates enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 350,000 homes. Once the repowering project is completed, the upgraded wind farm is expected to supply approximately 650,000 homes, supporting the UK's renewable energy and energy security objectives. Construction is expected to begin around 2030 and be completed by 2035, allowing the existing wind farm to remain operational during phased redevelopment.
ScottishPower said the project is designed to make use of existing grid connections and site infrastructure while replacing ageing turbines that are approaching the end of their operating lives. The company estimates the development will create hundreds of jobs and generate around £500 million in supply chain opportunities during construction.
The proposal is subject to planning approval by the Scottish Government. If approved, the repowered Whitelee Wind Farm will remain one of the UK's largest onshore renewable energy assets and play a key role in integrating additional renewable generation into the electricity system.
Source: energylivenews.com
