Scottish civil engineering firm RJ McLeod has been named as main contractor to build the 103-turbine Viking Wind Farm in Shetland.
The appointment follows SSE Renewables’ decision last month to invest £580 million in the 443-megawatt (MW) onshore development.
As part of its contract, Glasgow-based RJ McLeod, which has offices in Dingwall, will build a network of access tracks through the site as well as the new Sandwater road, construction compounds and bases and crane pads for the turbines.
SSE Renewables’ director of development Mike Seaton said: “SSE Renewables is delighted to announce RJ McLeod as the civil contractor for our Viking Wind Farm. We have a strong track record of delivering onshore wind farms successfully together.
“SSE Renewables and RJ McLeod are committed to maximising opportunities for the local, Shetland and wider Scottish supply chain from Viking’s construction and to creating significant employment opportunities while we build this excellent flagship onshore wind project.”
The Viking Wind Farm is expected to support around 400 jobs at peak construction, with many of those expected to be filled by the local workforce in Shetland. During the project’s operational lifetime of around 25 years, it has been estimated it will support 35 local jobs annually.
Construction is expected to start next month and be completed in 2024.
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