Thirty of the 50 wind farm due to be installed at the South Kyle wind farm are now in place, according to energy company, Vattenfall.

The milestone of the first turbine being installed was reached back in June, and there has been significant progress since then.

As part of the next body of works for the wind farm, 450 abnormal loads will have to be transported along the A77 and A713. 

The 240MW renewable energy project is currently being constructed between New Cumnock and Dalmellington in East Ayrshire and Carsphairn in Dumfries and Galloway.

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South Kyle is Vattenfall’s largest onshore development in the UK. With a capacity of 240MW, it will generate enough electricity to meet the demand of approximately 170,000 UK homes annually say the firm.

Once complete, it will also generate a fund for local communities worth an estimated £38million over 25 years.

A Vattenfall spokesperson said: "As we near the end of 2022, construction of South Kyle Wind Farm continues to progress with over 30 of the project’s 50 wind turbines now installed.

"Electricity generation testing is well underway, as are on-site restoration works and, with the easing of covid restrictions, we’ve been able to welcome some local stakeholders to the wind farm.

"With nearly all of the major components now delivered to site and the last blades docked in Ayr, we hope to see the turbine transportation programme complete in January (subject to weather and police escort availability). This will conclude a major logistical programme of moving 450 ‘abnormal loads’ along the A77 and A713."

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They added: "The new year will be a significant one with the project on track to be ‘switched on’, feeding renewable energy via the national grid to homes and businesses across the country.

"Then, once complete, the wind farm will be officially inaugurated and handed over to our operational team. Next year will also see the South Kyle Community Investment Fund open for Carsphairn, Dalmellington, New Cumnock and Patna. We’ll update you again as progress continues."