SmartestEnergy has signed a Contract for Difference (CfD) Power Purchase Agreement with Thrive Renewables for the 57 MW, 14-turbine Whitelaw Brae onshore wind project in the Scottish Borders.

Agreement Secures Route to Market for Thrive's Largest Onshore Wind Project

Whitelaw Brae is owned by Fair Play Clean Energy Limited, a joint venture between Thrive Renewables and TopCashback Group Ltd. The project is Thrive Renewables' largest onshore wind development to date and marks the company's first transmission-connected asset.

Whitelaw Brae was awarded a Contract for Difference in Allocation Round 7. Once operational, the onshore wind asset will be capable of generating up to 149,400 MWh of clean electricity per year, equivalent to powering around 45,000 UK homes and delivering 63,000 tonnes of emissions reductions.

Building on a Long-Standing Partnership

SmartestEnergy and Thrive Renewables have collaborated on a number of projects previously, and this latest development builds on that long-standing relationship.

According to the company, a key factor in Thrive Renewables' appointment of SmartestEnergy as its commercial partner was SmartestEnergy's experience managing transmission-connected assets, along with its competitive commercial offering and proven capability in managing market risk.

Will Russell, PPA Development Manager at SmartestEnergy, said the project's size and scale make it important not only for the two companies but also for Scotland's renewable energy sector.

Noting that Whitelaw Brae is Thrive Renewables' first transmission-connected asset, Russell said the company was looking to collaborate with an experienced partner with the flexibility and technical expertise to support its route to market requirements. He added that SmartestEnergy was excited to have been chosen and to build on its relationship with a long-standing partner on a new project.

Monika Paplaczyk, Investment Director at Thrive Renewables, said the company was delighted with how seamless the process has been in partnering with SmartestEnergy on the latest project.

She said SmartestEnergy's experienced team worked closely with Thrive to deliver the agreement, providing confidence that Whitelaw Brae has a strong route to market partner. Paplaczyk said the project supports Thrive Renewables' five-year goal of doubling the generation capacity of its portfolio by 2028, while also benefiting the local community and enhancing nature on site.

Community Benefits and Biodiversity Commitments

Beyond delivering clean power, the project will provide a community benefit fund of USD 369,550 a year. Thrive Renewables is also committed to offering an opportunity for the local community to purchase a stake in the onshore wind farm.

The project will additionally enhance biodiversity through native tree planting and the creation of a new network of footpaths across the site, which will form part of the River Tweed Trail.

Construction Nearing Completion

The final period of construction is now underway at the Whitelaw Brae site, located near Tweedsmuir, with energisation planned to start before the end of the year. Once operational, the project is expected to generate renewable electricity for at least 30 years.

Supporting Calculations

The homes' equivalent figure was calculated using the most recent statistics from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which show UK average domestic household consumption is 3,323kWh per annum (1,662 kWh for a half year).

The carbon reduction figure was calculated by multiplying the total annual estimated generation by the number of tonnes of carbon that fossil fuels would produce to generate the same amount of electricity, using DESNZ's "all non-renewable fuels" emissions statistic of 422 tonnes of carbon dioxide per GWh of electricity supplied from the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (July 2026), Table 5.14.

Powering Ahead: Stay Ahead of the United Kingdom's Evolving Electricity Landscape

What if you could see every major power project in the United Kingdom before your competitors even know it exists? From offshore wind farms in the North Sea to grid expansion programs across the country, the opportunities are vast, but only for those with the right intelligence at the right time.

The Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research delivers real-time, actionable insights into the United Kingdom power sector, covering generation, transmission, and distribution projects across every stage of development. Whether you're targeting renewable energy developers, EPC contractors, or equipment suppliers, the platform helps you identify opportunities early and engage stakeholders with confidence.

With comprehensive coverage spanning solar, wind, hydrogen-ready gas plants, nuclear upgrades, and smart grid investments, you can align your business development strategy with the United Kingdom's ambitious energy transition targets.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

Book a free demo today and discover how the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research can transform your pipeline in the United Kingdom's power sector.