A FTSE-listed Scottish utility company has placed a major order for 66 wind turbines from a Danish manufacturer for a new wind farm it is building in the Highlands.
Perth-based SSE initially planned to install more than 80 turbines at Stronelairg, near Loch Ness, but this was reduced by the Court of Session after an appeal by the John Muir Trust.
It will now buy 53 Vestas V117 3.45MW turbines and 13 of the V112 turbines, totalling 228MW.
The tip heights of the turbines will be 135m and 125m respectively and when built, Stronelairg will be Vestas’ largest onshore wind project to date in the UK, said Klaus Steen Mortensen, President of Vestas Northern Europe.
The combination of V117 and V112 turbines will optimise the site’s energy production and lower the cost of energy through the optimal use of larger rotor turbines, ensuring a high capacity factor.
Mike Seaton, Director of Development at SSE, added that the contract includes supply, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines as well as a 20-year full scope operations and maintenance agreement.
Delivery of the first turbines is planned for the third quarter of 2017, with commissioning scheduled for completion in 2018.
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