Grampian’s agri-farmers pioneered decade of growth in Scotland’s wind farm sector

Scotland is ideally placed to become a global leader in the generation of electricity from renewable sources, according to new research from a UK-wide real estate chain.

Savills Energy and Savills Research have combined to produce innovative analysis charting the growth and performance of the onshore wind sector in Aberdeenshire, which will be used to inform best practice for future projects across the UK.

Spotlight:  Onshore wind in Aberdeenshire – Growth and Performance focuses on the market in Scotland, particularly Aberdeenshire, where there has been a decade of exceptional growth in the number of wind generating projects. 

The onshore wind sector in Aberdeenshire is unique in that it is dominated by privately owned wind projects, as well as enjoying consistently good performance and the highest proportion of wind stations in Scotland.  A Savills spokesman said:

“Onshore wind is Scotland’s largest renewable power source increasing more than tenfold over the past 10 years; the growth of onshore wind in Aberdeenshire has been exceptional with 20% of Scotland’s total located in the area.

“Growth has largely been delivered by entrepreneurial farmers and rural businesses, with 60% of local projects since 2005 being privately owned.

“Over the same period our research also shows that performance of Scotland’s fleet of onshore wind turbines has improved due to technological advancements and better site design.”

“Scotland’s geographic location and topography, along with government incentives and improvements in technology, affords it an ideal position to become a global leader in the generation of electricity from renewable sources. 

“Onshore wind is Scotland’s largest renewable power source, but the growth of the sector is only part of the story and projects must be proactively managed to ensure they continue to generate both electricity and income for those that operate them.”