Construction has started on a new community wind farm near Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway, which is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 335,000 homes.
The Sanquhar II Community Wind Farm has entered its delivery phase. According to developer CWP Energy, the project will bring long-term investment and support for surrounding communities.
Community benefit fund
CWP Energy has pledged more than £1.25 million each year for local initiatives through a community benefit fund. The company states that decisions on how the money is spent will be informed by community priorities.
The wind farm is commercially owned and operated by CWP Energy. It is not community-owned, but the benefit fund is intended to support local projects.
CWP Energy already operates a wind farm near Sanquhar and works with the Upper Nithsdale Community Trust, which distributes funding to nearby towns. The company reports that it has provided over £10 million in community support across Scotland to date.
Scale of the project
- Location: Dumfries and Galloway and East Ayrshire
- Turbines: 44
- Supplier: Vestas (EnVentus platforms, V162 turbines)
- Construction support: Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK
- Investment value: more than £800 million over a 40-year lifespan
- Planning approval: granted by the Scottish Government in August 2023
- Workforce: around 100 construction staff currently on site, expected to rise to 200
The V162 turbines will be the first of their type installed in Scotland when erected in 2026.
Comments
Rod Wood, director of CWP Energy, said:
“This is a shared opportunity. We are here not just to generate power, but to build strong, respectful, and lasting relationships with the communities neighbouring the business.
The project brings with it an investment of an immediate £400 million into the Scottish economy, creating long-term jobs, and paying local authority rates, taxes and community benefits.
Onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of home-grown electricity, delivering consumers and businesses excellent value for money.
We’re delighted that after nearly 10 years of careful planning, ground has been broken and the construction of Sanquhar II is now underway.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:
“I warmly welcome the start of construction on the Sanquhar II Community Wind Farm, which demonstrates Scotland’s vital role in delivering the UK Government’s clean power mission.
Reformed national pricing will ensure the benefits of clean power are felt by communities and consumers in every part of the country, while giving businesses the stability and certainty they need to continue investing to upgrade our infrastructure to boost our national energy security, helping to create thousands of skilled jobs, and boosting the economy.”
Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said:
“Scotland’s onshore wind sector is already creating significant economic opportunities, delivering jobs and attracting major investment across the country as well as supporting the drive to decarbonise our energy system and support the fight against climate change.
This project is a key asset in supporting Scotland’s onshore wind ambitions and will help secure our country’s future as a renewables powerhouse.”
Huw Jones, chairman of Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, said:
“We are excited to be involved in the development of one of the largest onshore wind farm projects in the UK for CWP Energy. Currently on site, we are averaging 100 personnel per day, with the expectation for this to rise to 200.
We are utilising local contractors and suppliers where we can, and almost 50 per cent of our workforce are from the local area, with many others utilising the accommodation facilities within the surrounding towns and villages.”
James Ian Robinson, senior sales director UK & Ireland at Vestas, said:
“Construction is now underway on what will become the UK’s fourth largest onshore wind project, and we’re honoured to contribute to this landmark development.
Sanquhar II marks another important step toward greater energy security through home-grown power generation in the UK.
We thank CWP Energy for their trust, having placed the order in Q1 this year, and look forward to continuing our collaboration in driving the energy transition forward.”
One partner. No competitors. Full visibility across the region.
