South Lanarkshire wind farm to deliver five times more energy following upgrades

Scotland’s first commercial wind farm is to deliver five times more energy following a number of upgrades.

Hagshaw Hill, in South Lanarkshire, which is owned by ScottishPower Renewables, opened in 1995 with 26 turbines.

These have been replaced by 14 more powerful models and they can create over 79MW of electricity, which can power around 57,000 homes, according to the energy provider.

Charlie Jordan, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, said: “Hagshaw Hill started Scotland’s wind revolution – and now it’s back online, supercharged and ready to lead the next chapter.

“We’re proud of what this site represents: powering homes, powering communities and powering Scotland’s clean energy future.”

From turbine technicians to local contractors, more than 100 jobs have been supported during the decommissioning and repowering of Hagshaw Hill.

Each blade on the original turbines is being recycled by Plasware into construction materials, replacing concrete, timber and other plastics.

Andrew Billingsley, CEO of Plaswire, said: “We’re pleased to have been awarded this significant contract to recover the Hagshaw Hill blades and return these materials back into industry.

“Plaswire’s recycling process diverts waste from incineration, reducing CO2 emissions and replacing high carbon construction products.”

As Hagshaw Hill ramps up its clean power output, Scottish Power Renewables said the community benefit fund is scaling up too – delivering nearly £400,000 annually to Coalburn, Douglas, Lesmahagow and Rigside and Douglas Water – 26 times more than before.

Iain Lindsey, chairman of CDLR (Colburn, Douglas, Lesmahagow, Rigside) – the group administering the community benefit fund provided by the wind farm – said: “CDLR is proud to be working with SPR and we’re delighted to be the force that will deliver local community benefits for the next 25 or so years.

“This will enable us to support even more projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives and leave a lasting legacy in our area – from improving facilities and creating local employment to helping communities thrive in the long term.

“It really is fantastic to see Scotland’s first commercial wind farm continue to deliver clean energy and new opportunities right here where it all began.”