Vattenfall outlines plans for two new onshore windfarms

Vattenfall has outlined plans to build two new onshore windfarms in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.

The Whitenuk windfarm would consist of up to 35 turbines located around 5 kilometres south of the village of Moniaive, whilst the Quantans Hill windfarm would comprise up to 21 turbines situated around 2 kilometres north east of the village of Carsphairn. Battery storage facilities would be built alongside each.

The company submitted a scoping report to the Scottish government earlier this month, thereby initiating the environmental impact assessment process.

Both windfarms would be located nearby to Vattenfall’s South Kyle array which will lie across the border between East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway and consist of 50 turbines with a combined capacity of 240MW.

Vattenfall gave the go-ahead to the project in April after partnering with Greencoat UK Wind, which will purchase the windfarm following its completion. At the time, the Swedish utility said construction would begin as soon as the government’s coronavirus restrictions were lifted.

Commenting on the latest announcement, Vattenfall’s UK development director for onshore wind, Frank Elsworth, said: “South West Scotland has the potential to become a green energy hub.  South Kyle, Quantans Hill and Whiteneuk can play a major part in helping to power Scotland towards net zero and provide green shoots of recovery from the economic damage of Covid-19.

“Vattenfall wants to work with local communities, suppliers and partners to not only co-ordinate how our investments might benefit specific localities, but also to explore and create significant opportunities for South West Scotland.”