EDF Renewables will break ground next week on its new onshore wind farm in Scotland’s central belt.
Construction of the 7-turbine West Benhar Wind Farm in North Lanarkshire is due to get underway on March 1 after design changes were granted planning consent in September last year.
Blade tip height has increased from 138.5 metres to 149.9m, which will allow for greater electricity generation, as well an increased operational life from 25 to 30 years.
Despite planning permission allowing for the construction of eight turbines, EDF Renewables opted for seven due to advances in turbine technology.
West Benhar will have an installed capacity of to 30.1 megawatts (MW) and will supply green energy to more than 18,000 homes.
The project is expected to take up to 15 months to complete,.
Turbine delivery is due to start in mid-February 2022 and be completed in June.
Scottish contractor I and H Brown has been appointed to manage construction of the development – their work includes building the foundations and substation.
Vestas will supply the seven V117 4.3 MW machines.
EDF Renewables already has an installed capacity of 500 MW of onshore wind in Scotland.
Stelios Christodoulou, construction project manager at the subsidiary of the French energy giant, said “We are excited to get work under way, this project is an important addition to our portfolio of onshore wind developments.
“Not only will it accelerate our journey to a net zero future but it shows our commitment to investing and growing in Scotland.
“We will be engaging with the local communities in the coming months to keep them up to date with the project and discuss both the community fund and opportunities for community investment.”
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