Construction begins on Sanquhar II Community Wind Farm

The Sanquhar II Community Wind Farm will include two turbines which will be 149m to tip, with the remaining turbines being 200m to tip.

Delivery has now started for the wind farm, which will aim to be operational in 2026 and create enough electricity to power around 335,000 homes..

Developers say that the project will not only supply clean, renewable energy, but also establish a meaningful and enduring partnership with surrounding communities.

Sanquhar II Community Wind Farm. (Image: CWP Energy Limited) CWP Energy, in charge of the project, will be pledging more than £1.25 million annually to local initiatives through a special fund.

Through its existing operational wind farm near Sanquhar, the company already collaborates closely with Upper Nithsdale Community Trust, which administers funding for local projects across several towns.

Around 100 construction staff are now working on site at Sanquhar II, which will deliver more than £800 million in investment over its 40-year operational life.

Rod Wood, director of CWP Energy, said: “This is a shared opportunity. We are here not just to generate power, but to build strong, respectful, and lasting relationships with the communities neighbouring the business.

“The project brings with it an investment of an immediate £400 million into the Scottish economy, creating long-term jobs, and paying local authority rates, taxes and community benefits.

“Onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of home-grown electricity, delivering consumers and businesses excellent value for money.

“We’re delighted that after nearly 10 years of careful planning, ground has been broken and the construction of Sanquhar II is now underway.”

Rod Wood, director of CWP Energy. (Image: CWP Energy Limited) The 44-turbine wind farm, which received planning consent from the Scottish Government in August 2023, is located in Dumfries and Galloway and East Ayrshire. It has been nearly 10 years in planning.

The project’s EnVentus platforms and powerful V162 turbines are being supplied by Vestas and will be the first turbines of this type to be installed in Scotland when erected next year.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray added: “I warmly welcome the start of construction on the Sanquhar II Community Wind Farm, which demonstrates Scotland's vital role in delivering the UK Government's clean power mission.

“Reformed national pricing will ensure the benefits of clean power are felt by communities and consumers in every part of the country, while giving businesses the stability and certainty they need to continue investing to upgrade our infrastructure to boost our national energy security, helping to create thousands of skilled jobs, and boosting the economy.”