Powersystems have been awarded the electrical balance of plant works contract for the 212 MW North Kyle Wind Farm. Appointed by Civil Engineer’s Jones Bros who in turn secured a contract to construct Scotland’s newest onshore wind farm, on behalf of mutual client Brockwell Energy.
North Kyle is a consented onshore wind farm consisting of 49 Vestas V136-4.5 MW wind turbines with a maximum tip length of 149.9m and associated infrastructure. The wind farm project will be built on land between North Kyle Forest, New Cumnock and Dalmellington, on and around the former Chalmerston and House of Water coal mining sites.
North Kyle Wind Farm Project Update
The project works at North Kyle Wind Farm will see the high voltage electrical engineers Powersystems; design, procure, install, commission and deliver the High Voltage System for the 33 kV substation, 33kV connection cables to the purpose built SPEN’s 132/33 kV substation as well as the 33 kV cables to SPEN to connect the substation to the wind turbines.
Powersystems scope of works involve providing a 15 panel 33 kV switchgear, approximately 400,000 m of 33 kV cable, 130,000 m of fibre option and earthing cable, WF substation LVAC and LVDC system including 33/.415 kV auxiliary transformer and battery charger, ICP works for the 200 kVA connection for the SPEN and WF substation, Fire Alarm and Intruder alarm system and associated testing and commissioning activities
Civil Engineers Jones Bros will deliver the construction of 49 concrete wind turbine foundations and associated crane hard standings, construction and upgrade of approximately 48 km of access tracks and roads.
Activities on the main site are due to start on June 12 this year and will last for approximately two years.
Onshore wind in Scotland has the potential to make a significant contribution to reaching net zero and is the cheapest form of renewable energy generation that brings us closer to that goal.
Environmental benefits
North Kyle Wind Farm will bring great opportunities with significant community benefit investment in the local area. The £300 million investment will see 49 wind turbines installed, generating enough energy to power 163,000 households
With a life-span of 40 years, North Kyle will also help fund vital regeneration in the communities surrounding the former mining complex.
Economic benefits
Brockwell Energy’s chief financial officer Iain Cockburn has led on this support with nine local community councils, now known as 9CCG, a group being developed to provide a blueprint for full local empowerment in directing community benefit.
In addition to the £65m of local benefit, Brockwell Energy has committed to immediately provide an additional £2.6 million to help restoration of the most derelict parts of the original mining site and has made a commitment to a further £3.4 million in additional commitment to help boost the formation of the 9CCG.
Alex Lambie, CEO of Brockwell Energy, said: “I am immensely proud of our entire Brockwell team, who have delivered this flagship project after many years of diligent planning and design.
“Not only is the scale of North Kyle of national significance in the push to achieve Net Zero targets, but the project also promises to be truly game-changing for local communities.
North Kyle Wind Farm Facts
- North Kyle will be Brockwell Energy’s largest onshore wind farm in the UK
- Number of Vestas is 49 V136/4.5 MW machines on tubular steel towers
- The maximum installed capacity is 220.5 MW, the maximum export capacity (grid connection size) is 212 MW
- Total height from tip of rotor blade is 149.9 meters
- Once constructed, the wind farm will be able to power approximately 163,000 homes in the UK
- Commercial operation of the wind farm is planned to start Q3, 2025
- At the peak of construction, the scheme will require around 150 workers on site, and once operational the 212 MW wind farm will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s net-zero ambitions
As part of building the UK carbon free future, Powersystems proudly support the design, installation, and commissioning of climate restoration technologies with connectivity in all renewable sectors.
Powersystems are powering the UK to a green recovery, with 6 GW of installed green energy as they play their part helping to decarbonise the National Grid.
Notes to Editors:
Contact Information:
- This article is written by Jules Daly, Marketing and Communications Manager at Powersystems UK.
- Email jules.daly@powersystemsuk.com Telephone 01454 318000
- Photography Copyright please credit all images used to powersystemsuk.co.uk
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.
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