Perth-based SSE (
www.sse.com) has completed the construction and commissioning of the £350 million 66-turbine/228MW Stronelairg wind farm, near Fort Augustus in the Scottish Highlands.
This takes the Scottish energy company’s onshore wind-farm capacity to 2,143MW and its total renewable-energy capacity (including pumped storage) to 3,955MW.
That total will increase to 4,190MW when the Beatrice offshore wind farm in the Moray Firth is completed in the spring of 2019, but it may be closer to 4,030MW if SSE completes the sale of stakes of up to 50% in Stronelairg and in Dunmaglass onshore wind farm.
The potential sale of these stakes is in line with SSE’s strategy of creating value from developing and operating assets, as well as owning them.
If the stakes are sold, SSE will continue to be the operator of both wind farms and will retain significant future development rights in relation to them.
The Stronelairg wind farm is situated in a natural bowl on a plateau that is on average 600m above sea level.
It is set well back from Loch Ness, so that no turbines are visible from the main tourist routes. In line with SSE’s commitment to sharing value, local communities will benefit from an investment fund.
SSE announced in November that it is consolidating the development, operation and ownership of its renewable-energy assets in the UK and Ireland under a single entity to be known as SSE Renewables.
Its future onshore wind-farm ‘pipeline’ consists of over 800MW of potential new-build projects.
Martin Pibworth, SSE wholesale director, said: “The completion of Stronelairg confirms SSE’s position as the owner and operator of the most renewable-energy capacity in the UK and Ireland.
“Through SSE Renewables, we want to build on our established skills in asset management and large capital-project development to achieve future growth and maximise our contribution to the on-going decarbonisation of the electricity system.”