SOLWAYBANK WIND FARM SECURES CfD FUNDING

RES has secured a Contract for Difference (CfD) award for its Solwaybank Wind Farm in Dumfries and Galloway. CfD is the new UK Government subsidy scheme that has been introduced following Energy Market Reforms.

The 15 turbine project, which is located south of the B7068 between Lockerbie and Langholm, has the potential to generate up to 37.5 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity a year.

As part of the submission for this government investment, RES has committed to completing construction of Solwaybank and ensuring that it is operational and contributing renewable energy to the National Grid by March 2019.

Simon Peltenburg, Head of Projects for Scotland, RES, said: 

“We are delighted that our Solwaybank Wind Farm has been successful in the first ever CfD auction. Onshore wind farms make a vital contribution to the generation of home-grown, secure, cleaner and greener energy. This investment enables us to continue to develop and increase the contribution of onshore wind to energy production in a sustainable way – helping to ensure that the power we generate remains affordable for the public.

“We are also pleased that we are able to confirm to those living and operating businesses in the close vicinity to Solwaybank that they will start to see the benefits from hosting this wind farm in 2019.”

RES will work closely with the community ahead of construction commencing to inform them of what to expect and to ensure that the impact of any works is kept to an absolute minimum.

Ahead of the site becoming operational, RES will also be working with the community to establish a benefits package worth up to £3.75 million. This will include a Community Benefit Fund and a Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) – both of which will be available as soon as the site is operational.