An East Renfrewshire wind farm has announced that it is to add 75 turbines over the next two years, providing up to 200 jobs in the region.

Whitelee, on Eaglesham Moor south of Glasgow, is already the largest onshore wind farm in Europe. The extra turbines will bring its total up to 215, creating enough electricity to power around 300,000 homes, compared to about 180,000 at the moment.

Simon Christian, UK director of ScottishPower Renewables, said: "Whitelee wind farm is already the largest onshore wind farm in Europe and this extension, pushing the overall capacity to 539MW, will make it one of the largest in the world.

"The extension project will provide up to 200 jobs and, when complete, the overall windfarm will be capable of producing enough electricity to power over 300,000 homes."

Whitelee wind farm began producing electricity in late 2008 and was given planning permission to expand last year.

Over the next two years the company will install 69 Alstom ECO 100 wind turbines with a 3MW capacity and six ECO 74 turbines with 1.67MW capacity each.

WWF Scotland welcomed news of the expansion.

Dr Sam Gardner, WWF Scotland's climate policy officer, said: "Today marks another step forward in Scotland's ambition to harness renewable energy.

"Whitelee wind farm already makes a very welcome contribution to meeting Scotland's targets for renewable electricity and reducing climate change emissions. The addition of further turbines is most welcome.

"To deliver on Scotland's climate targets it is essential that we move forward very rapidly with all forms of renewables and step up measures to reduce our electricity demand.

"However, to ensure we are able to fully tap into this job-creating, low carbon future, it is vital that politicians do all they can to secure the investment and develop the necessary infrastructure."