Europe's largest onshore wind farm will be completed ahead of schedule

April 28th, 2009 | Posted in Wind


scottish-power-renewablesScottishPower Renewables, part of Iberdrola Renewables, announced the Whitelee Windfarm, near Glasgow, Scotland, and also Europe's largest onshore wind farm, is going to be completed ahead of schedule. Within the next few weeks the company expects construction work to be completed. The total installed capacity of the new wind farm is 322 MW, enough to power about 180,000 households. Once tubine construction is completed, there still remains about 90 km of roads, resinstatement works, and a 2 million pound state-of-the-art visitor center. Once opened, the center will be one of Scotland's largest eco-tourist attractions.

Along with the project, ScottishPower Renewables also outlined its habitat management plan for the site. The actively managed habitat will promote blanket bog and moorland regeneration, as well as improving conditions for Black Grouse, Reg Grouse, wading birds and upland wildlife.

The visitor cener will feature an exhibition area and a unique renewable energy education center, operated by specially trained staff. Tours of the windfarm will also be available, with eco-friendly buses powered by electricity generated on the site.

Here's some technical data on the Whitelee Windfarm – about 55 km2 in area, 970 km of cables laid, wind turbine towers 110 m high, 2.1 million m3 of rock used in roads and construction. Furthermore, a planning application has been submitted in order to extend the windfarm by another 36 wind turbines, totalling in 452 MW of generated electricity. The application is currently being considered by the Scottish Government.