Iberdrola's UK subsidiary, ScottishPower, has commenced expansion works at its Arecleoch and Kilgallioch wind farms, located in the Scottish council areas of South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. The expansion project will add 22 new wind turbines across both facilities after obtaining all required administrative and environmental permits.

Expansion Details and Capacity Increases

The Arecleoch wind farm will receive 13 additional wind turbines, while Kilgallioch will gain 9 new turbines. Upon completion, the two facilities will reach a combined installed capacity of nearly 485 megawatts. The expanded wind farms will generate sufficient clean electricity to supply approximately 300,000 British households. Both wind farms have been operational for several years, with Arecleoch beginning operations in 2011 and Kilgallioch starting in 2017. The expansion works represent Iberdrola's continued investment in improving and modernizing its renewable facilities worldwide.

Economic Impact and Tax Contributions

The two wind farms have already generated significant economic benefits for their local communities. To date, Arecleoch and Kilgallioch have together contributed almost GBP 16 million (over EUR 18.5 million) in tax contributions to local authorities. By the end of their operational lifespan, the facilities are expected to provide more than GBP 31.4 million (over EUR 36.3 million) for local authorities.

The expansion project will strengthen the production capacity of both facilities and enhance their efficiency, supporting what Iberdrola describes as the process of electrifying the economy. The benefits of the company's renewed commitment to these facilities will extend to local communities through both socio-economic value creation and environmental improvements.

Environmental Restoration Initiatives

The expansion projects include significant environmental restoration components. At Arecleoch, the expansion incorporates the restoration of 34 hectares of peatland on a reforested site. At Kilgallioch, 25 hectares of peatland have already been rehabilitated as part of the project. Additional environmental work is planned for land adjacent to the Kilgallioch wind farm, which is located in the Kirkcowan Flow Special Area of Conservation.

This area will undergo significant restoration aimed at improving habitat resilience and recovering natural hydrology.

ScottishPower's UK Operations

Through ScottishPower, Iberdrola operates as one of the top renewable energy companies in the United Kingdom, focusing on three main areas: electricity networks, renewable energy, and energy retail. In the electricity networks sector, the company operates under the brands SP Energy Networks and SP Electricity North West, following the acquisition of ENW. These operations make ScottishPower the second-largest distribution network operator in the UK.

The company supplies electricity to approximately 12 million people through more than 170,000 kilometres of power lines. SP Energy Networks distributes and connects electricity in Merseyside, Cheshire, and North Shropshire in England, North Wales, and central and southern Scotland. SP Electricity North West handles distribution in north-west England, including Manchester and the Lake District, and owns and operates the high-voltage transmission network in central and southern Scotland.

Iberdrola has committed to investing up to EUR 13.902 billion (approximately GBP 12 billion) by 2031 under RIIO-T3 in a significant programme to renew UK infrastructure and boost electrification.

Renewable Energy Portfolio

In the renewable energy sector, ScottishPower maintains an installed capacity of almost 3,100 MW, comprising 40 onshore wind farms and two offshore projects. The company is currently constructing the East Anglia Three offshore wind farm, described as the second-largest in the world, alongside the East Anglia Two and East Anglia One North projects.

These projects, combined with the already operational East Anglia One, will form the East Anglia Hub. This ambitious project is designed to generate up to 3.9 GW of capacity on the UK's east coast. In the retail sector, ScottishPower serves 4.2 million customers, making it one of the largest energy suppliers in the UK.

The company sells electricity and gas while also assisting customers with the installation of smart solutions, including electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps, and domestic solar systems in homes across the country. The expansion of the Arecleoch and Kilgallioch wind farms represents part of Iberdrola's broader strategy to strengthen its renewable energy portfolio in the UK market, building on its established position as a major player in the country's energy sector.

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