German manufacturer Siemens has won the bid to supply turbines for the new Blackcraig Hill wind farm in Dumfriesshire – as well as the 20 year maintenance contract.
The 53 megawatt (MW) Blue Energy wind farm will consist of 23 Siemens type G2 turbines Commissioning is scheduled for the spring of 2017.
The Blackcraig Hill site benefits from strong and consistent winds from the Irish Sea and the SWT-2.3-93 turbine – with a rotor diameter of 93 meters – will provide high energy yields. The project relies heavily on local suppliers for construction work and will also create service and maintenance jobs once the site is operational.
The project is expected to supply clean energy for more than 35,000 households and at the same time generate annual community benefits of 7,000 Euros per MW capacity which Blue Energy allocates for community benefit initiatives from turbine revenues.
Christopher Dean, Chief Executive, Blue Energy, commented, “Both the proven performance of the G2 platform and the specific characteristics of the site itself made the SWT-2.3-93 the clear choice for us.”
Thomas Richterich, Chief Executive of Siemens’ Onshore Wind Power and Renewables Division, added: “Wind energy makes a significant contribution not only to a clean energy supply in Scotland but also to the local economies.”
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