A new windfarm project in southern Scotland is making progress, with the completion of site investigation works. The Mill Rig Wind Farm, located near the border of East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire, will feature six turbines that are expected to be operational by Spring 2026.
After months of site investigations, developers OnPath Energy have announced that construction is set to begin in March next year, with electricity generation for the national grid scheduled to start the following year. The windfarm has the capacity to produce 132GWh of renewable electricity annually, which is enough to power more than 45,000 homes.
Additionally, the project will bring a community benefit fund of up to £167,000 per year and an estimated £91 million investment in the local economy. Gordon Thomson, projects director for OnPath Energy, expressed satisfaction with the results of the site investigations and highlighted the long-term benefits the project will provide to both the local community and the country as a whole.
The £155 million project will utilize modern onshore turbines that are considered some of the most efficient in the UK. Once operational, the windfarm is expected to reduce approximately 27,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to taking around 16,000 petrol cars off the road.
Sam Fisher, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Natural Power, praised the successful delivery of the site investigation works at Mill Rig and emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting sustainable energy projects. Natural Power, a local supplier headquartered near the site, has the expertise to navigate the challenging ground conditions and access issues faced during the project.
The windfarm investment is not only expected to create around 300 jobs but also to have a significant economic impact on the local area during the development, construction, and operational phases. With a projected local spend exceeding £91 million, OnPath Energy’s wind farm developments are estimated to contribute positively to the economy.
Furthermore, the local authority is anticipated to receive approximately £18 million in business rates from the Mill Rig project, which will in turn benefit public funds. This financial contribution, combined with the economic stimulus and job creation, underscores the positive impact of renewable energy projects like the Mill Rig Wind Farm on local communities and the environment.
