Powersystems are pleased to be working with Community Windpower Ltd to connect 15.3 MW turbines at Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm in East Ayrshire in Scotland.
Powersystems have worked with Community Windpower on previous successful projects, such as, Aikengall, Calder Water, and Millour Hill.
Community Windpower Limited (CWL) is investing in excess of £50m, securing jobs in the construction sector and providing significant spin-off spending in the Kilmarnock area as part of the Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm project.
Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm Current Status
Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm was approved on 24th October 2014.
Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm Project Information
The wind farm has an installed capacity of 45 MW to generate clean, green electricity.
Site Location
Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm is located in East Ayrshire, 5 km north of Galston and 9 km east of Kilmarnock. Sneddon stands adjacent to the Whitelee Wind Farm and its Extensions.
Wind Farm Layout
Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm will comprise of 15 wind turbines. These wind turbines have a tip height of 130 metres and a generating capacity of 3 MW.
Environmental Benefits
Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm will generate enough electricity to power approximately 29,600 homes and will displace around 50,800 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per annum.
Economic Benefits
Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm will provide annual community benefit funding equivalent to £2,500 per MW of installed capacity for the planning permission of the wind farm. Based on an installed capacity of 45 MW, this equates to £112,500 per annum, totalling around £2,812,500 during the 25 year operational period, for the local host communities.
Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm Partners
The project has National Importance winning a contract with the Government and Community Windpower Ltd will use RJ McLeod for the main construction contract, Scottish Power Distribution for the electrical connections, Powersystems for the electrical infrastructure works and EBoP and CS Wind UK for the fabrication of the steel towers and will involve over 150 staff during its construction, including local suppliers.
Bruce Clark, RJ McLeod’s Joint Managing Director says;’ We have a good relationship with CWL, building their first windfarm project at Wardlaw Wood in North Ayrshire in 2006. The Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm £6m project fits well in to our current work schedule and has the added advantage of being close to our Head Office in Glasgow’, Bruce continues,’ We will be working hard with CWL and the local communities to ensure that the project is delivered with minimal disruption, whilst providing real local spend in the area.’
Scottish Power Distribution team’s involvement in Sneddon Law Community Wind Farm is the interconnecting electrical cable between the wind farm and the Kilmarnock sub-station, with works already underway ready for a connection early in 2018.
CS Wind UK will fabricate the 45 tower sections at their Campbeltown facility. CS Wind UK recently supplied the towers for CWL’s Sanquhar wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway which are currently being installed. CWL have remained loyal to CS Wind UK by imposing their chosen turbine manufacturer, Vestas, to source their towers from the Campbeltown Company.
This long running commitment to CS Wind UK again reinforces Community Windpower’s commitment to Scottish Companies and the Scottish wind farm supply chain.
Lesley Black, UK Sales Team manager at CSWind UK commented; ‘We are delighted to have another opportunity to supply towers for a Community Windpower project. 2017 has been a challenging year for UK onshore tower manufacturers with stiff competition and low prices and a large number of onshore projects being delayed or cancelled altogether. The intention of Community Windpower for this order to be manufactured in Scotland is invaluable to the factory and the workforce.’
Rod Wood, CWL’s Managing Director confirmed ‘We are delighted to be finally contracting with Scottish Businesses and delivering on our commitment to invest in Scotland. We not only contract with Scottish Companies but as in this case, insist that Ayrshire businesses will secure significant contracts such as plant hire, steel and concrete supplies. We know, first hand, how these type of development benefit the local area and support jobs in these sectors.’
Once the project is constructed and operational real benefits still flow in to the surrounding area. Local business rates and rents will exceed £25m over the life time of the windfarm.
Despite taking over 5 years since Planning Approval, this project is underway and set to provide significant economic benefits to the local area and Scotland now and during its operation.
Notes to Editors:
Contact Information:
- This article is written by Jules Daly, Marketing and Communications Manager at Powersystems UK.
- Email jules.daly@powersystemsuk.com Telephone 01454 318000
- Photography Copyright please credit all images used to powersystemsuk.co.uk
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