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Powersystems announce electrical works contract for the 81.6 MW Sandy Knowe wind farm

June 25, 2021

Powersystems are delighted to announce they have been awarded the electrical balance of plant (EBoP) contract for the 81.6 MW Sandy Knowe wind farm by Roadbridge on behalf of mutual client ERG.

Sandy Knowe wind farm is located approximately 2.7 km and 2.6 km south west of Kirkconnel and Kelloholm respectively, within the planning authority area of Dumfries & Galloway Council. 

In March 2016 Sandy Knowe wind farm received planning consent in for 24 turbines of 2 MW of capacity. Each turbine having a a tip height up to 125 m, and the project having a total installed capacity of 48 MW.

Sandy Knowe wind farm is now looking to increase the total capacity of 81.6 MW. The physical aspects of the proposed development will remain the same, with the same turbine numbers, location and height as already consented by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Increasing the capacity enables:-

  • 24 turbines with a total installed capacity of up to 48 MW;
  • 125m ground to blade tip;
  • Average wind speeds in excess of 7.5 metres per second (m/s);
  • Potential to power up to 55,308 homes annually;
  • Annual output of approximately 236,000 megawatt hours (Mwh) of electricity;
  • Community Benefit Fund worth up to £408,000 annually; and
  • Community Shared Ownership option agreed with The Royal Burgh of Sanquhar and Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Community Councils.

To tackle climate change, the Scottish Government has set itself a very ambitious goal: to reach net zero by 2045. ERG are working hard to support Scotland in this inspiring target, as construction works at Sandy Knowe are beginning to ramp up. 

The will foster their industrial footprint by increasing the installed capacity up to 4.6 GW (+2.2 GW) of which 70 MW is already operational in the UK, and a Pipeline of projects of 3,500 MW that includes 276 MW in the UK and 150 MW of Battery Storage projects located near their existing or under construction assets. 

ERG wind farms in Scotland will have an estimated annual production of about 521 GWh, equivalent to the needs of more than 133,000 households, with about 250 kt of CO2 avoided per year. 

By 2030, Scotland targets to cover 50 percent of the energy demand in the areas of electricity, heat and transport with renewable energies. Onshore wind delivers about 70 percent of Scotland’s renewable electricity, followed by hydro and offshore wind as the main sources of renewable energy.

Watch aerial drone footage from the Sandy Knowe wind farm, Scotland in 2022

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Powersystems are powering the transition to a carbon free future

As a high voltage specialist electrical engineering company with over 46 years (1977-2023) experience Powersystems have grown by reputation to become a trusted force in the design, installation and commissioning of electrical infrastructure across the UK.

Celebrating 26 years as the first Lloyds National Electricity Registration Scheme ‘s accredited Independent Connection Provider (ICP), Powersystems are capable of delivering contestable grid connections at voltages up to 132 kV.

Since 2000, Powersystems have connected over 6 Gigawatts of renewable energy generation to the UK electricity grid, along with decarbonisation technology which includes; wind energy projects, solar, anaerobic digestion, hydroelectric, electrical vehicle infrastructure, short term operating reserve STOR, combined heat and power (CHP), Grid stability projects like rotating stabilisers,  and battery energy storage systems (BESS) as well as commercial industrial private wire networks.

Working with partners, delivering sustainable power solutions, proudly the Powersystems high voltage specialist team have connected 30% of all U.K. onshore wind farms.

At the core of the operation is a commitment to the highest values of health and safety, welfare, quality and the environment. Powersystems Integrated management systems are ISO accredited and their approach under their health and safety ‘Priority No.1’ brand is to aim for the best industry practice in all.

Powersystems UK Ltd. is an Employee-Owned Business and as such has a keen interest in the well-being of all its employees. They encourage and empower you to be imaginative, share great ideas and be involved in the success of the business.

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