Energy — renewables & gridRenewables & grid (Onshore Wind)

Clyde Wind Farm

South Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK · 2009–2012 (initial phase), extensions completed later · £500 million (initial phase)

The judgement call

Account-gated at launch

Became one of Europe's largest operational onshore wind farms, demonstrating the viability of large-scale onshore wind projects. - The project has invested significantly in community projects, highlighting the importance of local engagement and benefit sharing. - The long development timeline (from 2003 to date) indicates the complex planning and approval processes for such large infrastructure projects.

Key engineering challenges

Developing one of Europe's largest onshore wind farms in the Southern Uplands of Scotland. - Managing the archaeological impact during construction, requiring extensive field evaluation and mitigation. - Integrating a large number of turbines into the national grid and ensuring grid stability.

Project facts

Client / owner: SSE Renewables
Lead contractor: N/A (multiple contractors)
Lead designers: N/A
Project type: new build (with extensions)
Scale: 522 MW capacity; 152 turbines (initial phase), with additional turbines in extensions
Disciplines: civil; structural; mechanical; electrical; environmental; archaeology
Standards & frameworks: N/A

Sources: SSE Renewables: https://www.sserenewables.com/onshore-wind/great-britain/clyde/ - BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-13617221 - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Wind_Farm - Headland Archaeology: https://headlandarchaeology.com/blowin-in-the-wind-clyde-wind-farm-2003-to-date/

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