Whitelee Wind Farm Set to Reach 1 GW Under Iberdrola Plan
Iberdrola, through its UK subsidiary ScottishPower, has announced plans to invest €1.8 billion to repower Whitelee Wind Farm, the UK's largest onshore wind farm. The project would increase the site's installed capacity from 539 MW to 1,000 MW by replacing 215 existing turbines with 124 larger, higher-capacity turbines, extending the wind farm's operating life while making use of existing infrastructure and grid connections.
Located near Glasgow, Whitelee currently generates enough electricity to supply the equivalent of more than 350,000 homes. Once the repowering project is completed, the upgraded facility is expected to produce enough renewable electricity for approximately 650,000 homes, supporting the UK's energy security and decarbonization objectives. Construction is scheduled to begin around 2030, with completion targeted for 2035 through a phased redevelopment that allows the existing wind farm to remain operational during construction.
According to Iberdrola, repowering the site with fewer, more efficient turbines will increase renewable energy output while minimizing additional land use. The company also expects the investment to generate significant economic activity and employment opportunities throughout the construction phase and across the supply chain.
The Whitelee project forms part of Iberdrola's broader strategy to expand renewable generation and modernize its portfolio by upgrading existing wind assets. The company continues to prioritize investments in onshore wind repowering alongside electricity network expansion as demand for low-carbon electricity grows.
Source: nacleanenergy.com
