21 turbines have been installed at a 2,000-hectare windfarm which will soon deliver local and national benefits.

The new green energy generators are part of a major new development currently under way at North Kyle, near New Cumnock in East Ayrshire.

When fully operational in October 2025, the wind turbines will generate enough green energy to power the equivalent of 168,000 homes each year.

The wind farm is part of a development to regenerate one of Scotland’s largest surface coal mining sites, which formerly occupied the site. It is also estimated that the windfarm will generate £65 million in community benefit funds over the project’s lifetime.

Developed by Brockwell Energy, the North Kyle Windfarm project will ultimately see 49 Vestas V136 wind turbines constructed across land partly owned by Hargreaves Land on the site of the former House of Water opencast mine.

Andrew Johnson, regional director at Hargreaves Land said: “We are very pleased to see work progressing so well at the North Kyle Windfarm and look forward to its contribution towards the UK’s net zero ambitions, at the same time creating jobs and bringing investment to the local economy.  Ambitious schemes such as this one offer a blueprint for bringing forward similar projects on reclaimed former open cast land and North Kyle promises to be truly game-changing for the local communities.”

Richard Buckland, senior project manager at Brockwell Energy said: “The team have done amazing work to progress North Kyle to this stage. A tight programme has been managed through challenging circumstances. We look forward to completion of the project in 2025 and realising the significant benefits, both local and national. We would also like to thank Hargreaves for their collaborative approach to development.”