A STATE-of-the-art wind farm capable of powering 53,700 homes over the next 30 years has opened in Scotland.
Earlier this year renewable energy developers OnPath Energy - formerly Banks Renewables – announced that the new 15-turbine Kype Muir Wind Farm extension in South Lanarkshire was exporting clean, green electricity to the national grid.
On Friday, the official opening was celebrated as members of the community, business partners and Government officials were welcomed to the site.
The extension is set to be a “significant addition” to OnPath Energy’s 26-turbine Kype Muir Wind Farm site.
The two sites combined will generate over 155 MW annually, providing renewable energy for more than 123,000 homes, equivalent to a city the size of Aberdeen.
In 2022, then-first minister Nicola Sturgeon officially marked the connection of the UK’s first 200m turbine at Kype Muir Extension, recognising it as a key moment for Scotland’s renewable energy industry.
Gordon Thomson, projects director at OnPath Energy, said: “The official launch of Kype Muir Extension is a major milestone for all involved in this project.
“The site is going to deliver vast amounts of clean renewable energy, while financially benefiting local communities for generations through our Kype Muir Community Partnership.
“In addition to this, it has supported hundreds of jobs in the local area which represents a significant boost to the local economy.
“Speaking on behalf of our team, we were delighted to welcome everyone to the site to celebrate this landmark achievement in OnPath’s history and discuss with community members how we can ensure that the site continues to deliver for them over the next 30 years.”
Kype Muir and its extension are expected to deliver more than £21 million worth of community benefits during their lifetime and will directly and indirectly support around 800 jobs.
The two sites will displace around 307,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing approximately 30,700 petrol cars from the roads each year.
The event featured a plaque unveiling at the site as well as the winners of a local school turbine naming competition being announced.
Children from Newfield Primary School in nearby Stonehouse were asked to think of creative names for some of the wind turbines. The three winners were Harry Scott with Sir Winds A Lot, Orla Kier Bowers with The Topsy Turney, and Matthew Ramsay with Renewable Ronnie.
Robert Brown, chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s community and enterprise resources committee, said: “The official launch of the Kype Muir extension marks a significant increase in the amount of clean, renewable energy that can be produced.
“It’s great news for the environment, and I am delighted that the local economy is also being supported in terms of the jobs that have been created.”
