Iberdrola begins repowering ScottishPower's first commercial wind farm

After almost 30 years of service, Scotland's first commercial wind farm has been decommissioned in preparation for recharging to meet the UK's Net Zero targets.

In operation since 1995, ScottishPower Renewables' Hagshaw Hill wind farm in South Lanarkshire was at the forefront of wind energy production in Scotland, generating more than 895 MWh over its 28-year lifespan.

Now, this 16 MW site is about to undergo a repowering process, becoming home to 14 new wind turbines with a combined capacity of more than 79 MW. Once completed, the wind farm will be able to produce around five times more clean and green energy than before, with just over half of the turbines.

The Hagshaw Hill repowering project is part of ScottishPower Renewables' wider ambition to maximise the efficiency of its existing facilities by replacing older turbines with new, more powerful and efficient models. 

Barry Carruthers, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, explains: "A number of our wind farms, like many others across the UK, are beginning to reach the end of their useful life. But repowering allows us to make these farms, which we know can deliver the green, carbon-free electricity we need to reach Net Zero, more efficient and maximise the energy we get from them."

"Hagshaw Hill is a good example of this. We have worked in this area for nearly 30 years, we know how good this site is and now we will be able to produce enough electricity to power nearly 61,000 homes each year - almost half the homes in South Lanarkshire," he notes.

"Repowering is fundamental to achieving Net Zero's ambitions, but we need to be able to do it faster than current legislation allows. We know these sites, we know how to look after them and we know how much more they can bring to the UK if we can repower them quickly enough," he says.

The project is expected to sustain more than 100 jobs at its peak, and even more indirect opportunities during decommissioning and construction for the supply chain. Work is currently underway to dismantle the turbines and prepare the site, and Scottish company Forsyth of Denny has been awarded the decommissioning contract. 

ScottishPower Renewables is committed to being the best neighbour in our communities and, to date, has shared more than £55 million of community benefit through its wind farms. The new wind farm at Hagshaw Hill will provide an enhanced package of community benefits, building on the success of the old farm and ensuring that Hagshaw Hill leaves a lasting legacy for its local community. 

The decommissioning process will continue through the summer and early autumn, with delivery of the first components of the new turbine scheduled for May 2024. The new site should be fully operational by early 2025.