ScottishPower Renewables has unveiled plans to double the capacity of Whitelee onshore wind farm in Scotland as part of a £1.5bn project aimed at extending the life of one of the UK’s most significant renewable energy sites.
The proposed repowering project will see the UK’s flagship onshore wind farm upgraded with fewer but larger turbines, increasing generation capacity from 539 MW to approximately 1 GW. The development will involve replacing existing equipment with 124 modern turbines, each expected to reach around 250 metres in height.
ScottishPower Renewables (SPR), part of ScottishPower, said the investment could create hundreds of jobs and unlock around £500m in supply chain opportunities during a decade-long development and construction programme. The company estimates the project will contribute £330m in gross value added to Scotland’s economy.
Charlie Jordan, chief executive of ScottishPower Renewables, said repowering existing renewable assets would be essential to retaining clean energy capacity as older projects approach the end of their operational lives.
“Whitelee is one of the largest onshore windfarms in Europe and the jewel in the UK’s renewables crown, powering Greater Glasgow and beyond with clean, green power for almost two decades,” he said.
“We want to build on the existing success of our windfarms before they reach the end of their natural lifespan and we lose the benefit of their clean power capacity.”
Jordan added that Whitelee could provide a blueprint for future renewable upgrades. “Whitelee can set the repowering standard, unlocking the continued potential of existing infrastructure,” he said.
The project also includes plans for greater community involvement, including potential ownership opportunities and an expanded community benefit fund. Whitelee has already delivered £20m to communities across East Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire, with future payments expected to rise to around £5m annually.
Originally commissioned in 2008, Whitelee has grown through two expansion phases to 215 turbines. The repowering proposals are now with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, with a planning application expected in 2027 and operations targeted for 2035.
SPR said maintaining public access and protecting the site’s restored habitats would remain priorities throughout construction. The windfarm currently spans around 83km² and has become a popular recreation and education destination as well as a major source of renewable electricity.
The company said the scale and duration of the project would give suppliers greater confidence to invest in equipment, skills and jobs, strengthening the UK’s renewable energy supply chain.
