Clyde Wind Farm, South Lanarkshire
A74(M) with Clyde Wind Farm. Photograph by David Dixon, 24th March, 2014.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Dixon - geograph.org.uk/p/3950507
This project became a very visible sign of Scotland's early commitment to renewable energy as the turbines could be seen on either side of the main motorway (A74(M)) into Scotland as it passed through the Southern Uplands.
The Clyde Wind Farm is a 522 megawatt (MW) wind farm near Abington in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
The first stage of the project consisted of 152-turbines by Scottish and Southern Energy and was approved by the Scottish Parliament in July 2008. It is capable of powering 200,000 homes. SSE was given planning permission to build a wind farm with turbines built on either side of the M74 motorway.
Construction of the wind farm, which was budgeted for £600 million, began in early 2009 and finished in 2012.This stage of the farm was opened at a ceremonial ribbon cutting by First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond in September 2012.
Clyde Wind Farm Extension
In July 2014, it was announced that Scottish ministers had approved an extension to the Clyde Wind Farm.The extension was for 54 extra turbines, capable of generating an additional 162MW. This would bring the total generating capacity of the wind farm to 512MW.However, the extension was upgraded to 54 turbines with a 173MW capacity and was commissioned in the summer of 2017.
SSE Renewables sold some of its stake in Clyde Windfarm (Scotland) Ltd, which is now a joint venture partnership between SSE, Greencoat UK Wind Plc and GLIL Corporate Holdings Ltd.
Track and Turbines in Clyde Wind Farm South. Photograph by W.Robison, 24 July, 2020
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © wrobison - geograph.org.uk/p/6554458
Entrance E, Clyde Wind Farm from B7078 near Beattock Summit. Photograph by J.Thomas, 22 October, 2021
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © JThomas - geograph.org.uk/p/6997522
Clyde Wind Farm fund
Over the life of the Fund it is expected that £17.5million will be invested in local projects.The funding is provided by SSE Renewables and is currently worth around £929,000 a year. It is administered by South Lanarkshire Council on SSE's behalf.
The Fund has two distinct elements: the community fund and the development fund.
The community fund is a grant awarding fund and receives 70% of the annual income. South Lanarkshire communities within 15km of the wind farm are eligible to apply as shown on the map. The Inner host communities, for example the communities closest to the windfarms, are able to benefit from an additional 25% grant funding. These communities are Crawford, Elvanfoot, Abington, and Roberton.
The development fund receives 30% of the annual income. It provides support for the delivery of employability and training projects that benefit communities/residents across South Lanarkshire.
Further Information
Article compiled by David Halls. First published; 10th October 2022