Powersystems updates on the latest renewable energy project from Community Windpower. Aikengall 2a wind farm has started generating electricity, making it the largest wind farm the developer has brought online. The 19 turbine, 81.7 MW wind farm is located on the border of East Lothian and the Scottish Border.
Also providing the electrical infrastructure works Powersystems completed the original Aikengall Wind Farm in 2009 which generates 48 MW, and Aikengall Part 2 built in 2017, which has the capacity of 60.8 MW. The 2a addition brings the total capacity of the Aikengall wind energy complex to 190 MW.
Installation of the Siemens Gamesa SWT-DD-120 turbines began in January this year and completed on time, a spokesperson for Community Windpower said.
CWL managing director Rod Wood said the outfit was “immensely proud” of the achievement, given construction took place during “unprecedented global conditions”. Wood added: “Aikengall 2a will be our largest capacity project to date and this new milestone is a fantastic way to end 2021.”
The developer instructed two Scottish companies, RJ McLeod and Windhoist, to provide civil engineering and turbine installation respectively.
Wood said Part 2a would provide energy for 70,000 homes annually and represented the outfit’s eighth operational wind farm. “Our long-term commitment to Scotland and its economy is reflected in the delivery of this project as well as our three next renewable energy developments.”
The wind farm projects are Sanquhar 2 outside Kelloholm and Sanquhur, Faw Side between Hawick and Langholm, and Scoop Hill near Moffat. “These three projects are all next generation strategic schemes which can deliver leading economic benefits of £413.3m gross value added and support 5980 job years across Scotland,” said Wood.