SSE Renewables wins govt nod to expand Scottish wind farm to 200 MW

The Scottish government has granted UK utility SSE Plc (LON:SSE) permission to build an up to 100-MW extension to Bhlaraidh wind farm in the Scottish Highlands and create a complex with a capacity of roughly 200 MW.

The Section 36 approval for the Bhlaraidh Extension Wind Farm will enable SSE’s renewable energy arm to install 15 turbines next to the existing 108-MW Bhlaraidh complex, SSE Renewables said on Tuesday.

The additional turbines will have a maximum tip height of 180 metres (590.6 feet), depending on the model, and will be located near Fort Augustus. They will add to the existing wind farm’s 32 machines that have been generating electricity since August 2017. The project website shows that the 15 turbines will bring around 84 MW of additional capacity.

SSE Renewables said it will take time to review in detail the government’s decision before initiating pre-construction activities. It will aim to take a final investment decision (FID) in 2024.

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to approve this proposal. The development of Bhlaraidh Extension Wind Farm is crucial to our Net Zero Acceleration Programme, which will see SSE Renewables commit to increasing our renewables capacity fivefold in output by 2031,” said Derek Hastings, head of onshore development for SSE Renewables.

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