North Kyle Energy Project, Scotland

The North Kyle Energy Project is a 220.5MW onshore wind farm currently being developed in Scotland, the UK.

Brockwell Energy, a UK-based renewable energy business, owns the project.

In June 2023, the company announced the financial closure on the wind farm. The project will involve a total investment of £300m.

The construction of the project commenced in early June 2023. During peak construction, around 150 workers will be involved.

North Kyle Energy is expected to begin commercial operations in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025.

Once operational, the project will be one of the biggest operational onshore wind farms in the UK and it will generate carbon savings of 217,419 tonnes per year compared to a fossil fuel mix of electricity generation.

North Kyle Energy Project Location

The North Kyle Project is being constructed within the North Kyle Forest in East Ayrshire.

The site is located approximately 5.5km east of Patna, 6km west of New Cumnock, and 2.5km south of Skares. The South-West Scotland Interconnector overhead power line traverses through the project site.

Former Chalmerston and House of Water coal mining sites were located at the site and surrounding areas.

Background

The development of the wind farm was conceived after the collapse of coal industry and support impacted local communities.

In September 2019, Brockwell Energy submitted an application to Scottish Ministers for the development of the project. The Energy Consents Unit (ECU) approved the application in December 2021.

Throughout 2022, the ground was investigated following approvals from East Ayrshire Council (EAC).

Brockwell submitted another application in August 2022 to further optimise the project. The second application was approved in March 2023.

The owner notified the ECU and EAC regarding the commencement of development of the wind project in May 2023.

In October 2024, the first turbines for the project were installed.

North Kyle Energy Project Details

The North Kyle Energy Project will comprise 49 wind turbines along with associated transformer with kiosk, three substation compounds, underground cabling network, 31 watercourse crossings, and a telecommunications mast.

Other ancillary infrastructure will include access tracks, up to four temporary stone extraction areas; up to four temporary construction compounds including batching plants; three site entrances; and associated forestry felling and restocking work.

The wind turbines will have a maximum tip height of 149.9m. They will be installed on tubular steel towers.

The project will include the installation of more than 300km of 33kV cable and over 100km of fibre and earthing cables.

The cables will transport renewable power generated by the turbines to SP Energy Networks (SPEN) substation located on the B741 between Dalmellington and New Cumnock, from where the electricity will be transferred to the grid.

Once operational, North Kyle Energy Project will produce 630GWh of clean renewable energy that can meet annual energy requirements for 217,000 homes.

The project is expected to have a life span of 40 years.

Key Contracts Involved

In December 2023, Natural Power, an independent consultant and service provider, was selected as the Owner’s Engineer for the North Kyle Wind Farm.

As Owner’s Engineer, the company is providing construction management services including project management, safety, resident engineers, planning, and serve as the principal designer during the construction phase.

Natural Power also prepared a due diligence report on the project site.

Vestas will deliver 49 V136-4.5 MW wind turbines for the project. The company will be responsible for supply, delivery, and commissioning of the turbines. It will also service the turbines under a 30-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement.

UK-based civil engineering company Jones Bros was selected as a key contractor for the wind farm. The scope of work includes the construction of 49 concrete foundations for turbines; excavation and backfilling for cabling; installation of cables including fibre cables; construction of access tracks; upgradation of 20km of roads, and other enabling works.

In June 2023, Powersystems won the electrical balance of plant works contract for the North Kyle Wind Farm.

Under the contract, Powersystems will deliver the High Voltage System for the 33kV substation, 33kV connection cables to the SPEN’s 132/33 kV substation as well as the 33kV cables to connect the substation to the wind turbines.

Deliveries will include a 15 panel 33 kV switchgear, approximately 400,000m of 33 kV cable, 130,000m of fibre option and earthing cable, WF substation LVAC and LVDC system including 33/.415 kV auxiliary transformer and battery charger, ICP works for the 200 kVA connection for the SPEN and WF substation, and Fire Alarm and Intruder alarm system.

ACCON provided a review of the updated operational noise assessment.

Offtake Agreement

EDF Energy, one of the largest producers of low-carbon electricity in the UK, and Brockwell signed a seven-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the North Kyle Energy Project in August 2023.

Under the PPA, EDF will offtake 100% of the power produced by the wind project.