Power COMPANY Vattenfall has awarded a £67 million contract to Scottish firm RJ McLeod to construct its South Kyle Wind Farm near Dalmellington.

RJ McLeod will lead the construction of the country’s newest onshore wind farm and will work to deliver roads and access tracks, electrical infrastructure, turbine foundations and other infrastructure.

Located 5km to the east of Dalmellington, South Kyle will be Vattenfall’s largest onshore wind farm in the UK. At the peak of construction, the project will require around 150 workers on site and will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.

Frank Elsworth, Vattenfall’s UK Development Director, Onshore Wind, said: “Constructing a wind farm is about so much more than just building a green power station. This is about creating and sustaining an industry that offers people a real future in a rewarding career.

“As well as bringing fossil-fuel free living a step closer, we want to ensure that businesses close to our wind farms have the chance to take full advantage of the opportunities developments like South Kyle can create.

“We’re delighted to be working with RJ McLeod again. Their knowledge and expertise will provide further reassurance that South Kyle will be a responsibly built asset to the local area, powering approximately 170,000 homes with green electricity and driving forward Scotland’s emission reduction ambitions.”

The contract will be the fourth major Vattenfall project undertaken by RJ McLeod, and continues Vattenfall’s commitment to the Scottish supply chain.

This extends to the local economy, with both Vattenfall and Glasgow-based RJ McLeod committed to developing opportunities for local sub-contractors and suppliers wherever possible.

Bruce Clark, Joint Managing Director, RJ McLeod, said: “We’re delighted to be awarded the contract to construct South Kyle Wind Farm. This is our fourth project with Vattenfall who recognise the skills and experience of our staff and operatives as well as our track record of using local resources.”

Preparatory works are anticipated to begin next month subject to COVID-19 precautions. The wind farm is expected to start generating electricity by early 2023.

Further details will be published at www.vattenfall.co.uk/southkyle