A new wind farm that is capable of supplying renewable electricity to more than 40,000 homes has been officially opened in South Ayrshire by Scottish Power.
Dersalloch Windfarm, located on Dersalloch Hill between Straiton and Dalmellington, comprises 23 turbines with an installed capacity of 69MW.
Dersalloch is the first of eight onshore windfarm projects currently being delivered by Scottish Power to increase renewable energy output in Scotland’s electricity sector.
Dersalloch, combined with seven other projects across Scotland, will see 221 turbines erected, with an investment of more than £650 million.
When all sites come online, this will generate nearly 500MW of electricity – enough to power over 130,000 homes.
Local community groups will also be boosted by a community benefits package worth more than £8.5 million over the next 25 years.
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive, Scottish Power Renewables, said: “Dersalloch has always had the potential to be a significant renewable energy project and, combined with the other windfarms we are currently constructing, will play a significant part in the future of Scotland’s energy production.
“Scotland is ideally placed to be a key player in delivering clean energy and in making it work for communities across the country, whether through the creation of hundreds of construction or operational jobs, significant funding packages to benefit community groups and not least powering their homes via wholly renewable sources.”
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