Whitelee onshore wind farm
Eaglesham Moor, near Glasgow, Scotland, UK · 2007–2009 (commissioned May 2009), with extensions · £300 million (initial phase)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchBecame the UK's largest onshore wind farm and for a period, the largest in Europe, demonstrating the potential of onshore wind. - The project includes a visitor centre, highlighting a commitment to public engagement and education about renewable energy. - Successfully implemented extensions to increase capacity, showcasing adaptability and growth potential.
Key engineering challenges
Developing the largest onshore wind farm in the UK on Eaglesham Moor. - Managing the environmental impact and community engagement for a project of this scale near a major city. - Integrating a large number of turbines into the national grid.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- ScottishPower Renewables (part of Iberdrola)
- Lead contractor
- N/A (multiple contractors)
- Lead designers
- AECOM (involved in design)
- Project type
- new build (with extensions)
- Scale
- 539 MW capacity; 215 turbines (initially 140 turbines, 322 MW)
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; mechanical; electrical; environmental
- Standards & frameworks
- N/A
Sources: ScottishPower Renewables: https://www.scottishpowerrenewables.com/onshore-new/onshore-scotland/wind-scotland/operational-windfarms/whitelee-windfarm - Iberdrola: https://www.iberdrola.com/about-us/power/onshore-wind-energy/-whitelee-onshore-wind-farm - AECOM: https://aecom.com/projects/whitelee-windfarm/ - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitelee_Wind_Farm