ScottishPower Renewables' Hagshaw Hill windfarm has completed a comprehensive repowering project that increases its clean energy output while reducing the number of turbines on site. The facility, which originally started operations in 1995 as Scotland's first commercial windfarm, now generates over 79MW of clean electricity from 14 new turbines, replacing the previous 26 units.

The upgraded windfarm produces five times more power than its original configuration while using just over half as many turbine towers. The new capacity is sufficient to power the equivalent of 57,000 homes, marking a significant increase in renewable energy generation at the historic site.

Repowering Strategy and Scotland's Energy Targets

The repowering approach represents what ScottishPower describes as the fastest and most efficient method to boost renewable capacity and help Scotland achieve its 2030 onshore wind targets. The strategy focuses on utilizing sites that have already proven their effectiveness for wind energy generation.

Charlie Jordan, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, emphasized the significance of the project, stating: “Hagshaw Hill started Scotland's wind revolution – and now it's back online, supercharged and ready to lead the next chapter. We're proud of what this site represents: powering homes, powering communities and powering Scotland's clean energy future.”

Employment and Recycling Innovation

The decommissioning and repowering process supported over 100 jobs, ranging from turbine technicians to local contractors. Beyond employment benefits, the project addressed an industry-wide challenge through innovative recycling solutions.

ScottishPower Renewables partnered with Plaswire to recycle every blade from the original turbines. The recycling process converts the turbine blades into new construction materials that replace concrete, timber, and plastics, demonstrating what the company describes as a circular approach to renewable energy from start to finish.

Andrew Billingsley, CEO of Plaswire, commented on the partnership: “We're pleased to have been awarded this significant contract to recover the Hagshaw Hill blades and return these materials back into industry. Plaswire's recycling process diverts waste from incineration, reducing CO2 emissions and replacing high carbon construction products.”

Community Benefits Expansion

The increased power output has resulted in a substantial expansion of community benefits. The windfarm's community benefit fund now delivers nearly GBP 400,000 annually to the local communities of Coalburn, Douglas, Lesmahagow, and Rigside & Douglas Water. This represents a 26-fold increase compared to the previous funding level.

CDLR, the group responsible for administering the community benefit fund provided by the windfarm, will oversee the distribution of these funds for approximately the next 25 years. Iain Lindsey, Chair of CDLR, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded program: “CDLR is proud to be working with SPR, and we're delighted to be the force that will deliver local community benefits for the next 25 or so years.”

Lindsey outlined the potential impact of the increased funding: “This will enable us to support even more projects that will make a real difference to people's lives and leave a lasting legacy in our area - from improving facilities and creating local employment to helping communities thrive in the long term. It really is fantastic to see Scotland's first commercial windfarm continue to deliver clean energy and new opportunities right here where it all began.”

The Hagshaw Hill project represents a significant milestone in Scotland's renewable energy sector, demonstrating how existing wind energy sites can be transformed to meet modern energy demands, enhance benefits to local communities, and address environmental concerns through innovative recycling practices.

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