ESB has reached Final Investment Decision and executed the principal construction contracts for the Chleansaid Wind Farm, a 96-megawatt project located near Lairg in the Scottish Highlands, marking the Irish energy company's first wholly developed onshore wind project in Scotland.

A Landmark First for ESB in Scotland

The Dublin-headquartered utility announced the milestone, describing Chleansaid as one of its most strategically important renewable energy projects. The wind farm is a 100% ESB-owned development and will consist of 16 wind turbines delivering a total installed capacity of 96 MW.

The project secured planning consent in 2023 and has since obtained a 15-year Contract for Difference, providing a long-term route to market for the electricity it will generate.

The project has been developed entirely by ESB's in-house team and is described by the company as a flagship development within its broader onshore wind portfolio.

Chleansaid is also the first project to advance into construction from ESB's current pipeline of approximately 2 gigawatts of onshore wind opportunities under development across Scotland and Wales.

Paul Lennon, Head of Renewables at ESB, said the decision represented a significant step in the company's renewable energy ambitions across Scotland and the United Kingdom.

"As our first wholly developed onshore wind project in Scotland, Chleansaid demonstrates our long-term commitment to investing in clean, secure and home-grown energy," Lennon said.

Construction Partners and Timeline

ESB has assembled a consortium of international industry contractors to deliver the project. GE Vernova will supply the wind turbine generators and provide long-term service support. Kirby Group has been appointed to deliver the Electrical Balance of Plant, while Farrans Construction will be responsible for the Civil Balance of Plant.

Construction is expected to commence later in 2026, with the project targeted to achieve commercial operation in 2028.

Lennon said ESB was proud to move into the construction phase alongside its partners. "Working alongside our partners GE Vernova, Kirby Group and Farrans, we are proud to move into the construction phase of a project that will deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits for the Highlands and help accelerate the transition to a net zero future," he said.

Scottish Government Welcomes the Decision

The Scottish government welcomed ESB's Final Investment Decision, with Stephen Gethins, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy, describing it as a significant vote of confidence in Scotland as a destination for renewable energy investment.

"This reflects our desire for the energy transition to be reaching and benefitting communities across Scotland," Gethins said. "Reaching Final Investment Decision marks the point at which a project moves from development into delivery, and projects like Chleansaid will play an important role in supporting economic growth, energy security and Scotland's transition to net zero, including in the Highlands and elsewhere."

Gethins offered his congratulations to ESB and its partners on reaching what he called an important milestone for the region.

Part of a Broader Growth Strategy

The Chleansaid project sits within a wider expansion of ESB's onshore wind activities in Great Britain. The company currently has approximately 2 gigawatts of onshore wind opportunities under development across Scotland and Wales, with Chleansaid becoming the first from that pipeline to transition from development into the construction phase.

The Final Investment Decision represents the formal point at which the project moves beyond planning and development into active delivery, committing capital and triggering the commencement of the construction contracts that have now been executed with the project's three principal contractors.

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