Swedish state-owned energy firm Vattenfall said on Friday it awarded Glasgow and Dingwall-based civil engineers RJ McLeod a £67 million contract to construct the South Kyle Wind Farm near Dalmellington on the boundary of East Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway.

“RJ McLeod will deliver roads and access tracks, electrical infrastructure, turbine foundations and other infrastructure at South Kyle wind farm in East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway,” said Vattenfall.

South Kyle will be Vattenfall’s largest onshore wind farm in the United Kingdom.

At the peak of construction, the project will require around 150 workers on site, and once operational the 240MW wind farm will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s net-zero ambitions — powering 170,000 homes and saving 300,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases annually, the equivalent of taking 65,000 cars off the road each year. 

It will be the fourth major Vattenfall project undertaken by RJ McLeod.

Frank Elsworth, Vattenfall’s UK Development Director, Onshore Wind, said: “Constructing a wind farm is about so much more than just building a green power station.

“This is about creating and sustaining an industry that offers people a real future in a rewarding career. 

“As well as bringing fossil-fuel free living a step closer, we want to ensure that businesses close to our wind farms have the chance to take full advantage of the opportunities developments like South Kyle can create. 

“We’re delighted to be working with RJ McLeod again.

“Their knowledge and expertise will provide further reassurance that South Kyle will be a responsibly built asset to the local area, powering approximately 170,000 homes with green electricity and driving forward Scotland’s emission reduction ambitions.” 

Bruce Clark, Joint Managing Director, RJ McLeod, said: “We’re delighted to be awarded the contract to construct South Kyle Wind Farm. 

“This is our fourth project with Vattenfall who recognise the skills and experience of our staff and operatives as well as our track record of using local resources and we look forward to jointly delivering this important energy asset.”

In April, investment trust Greencoat UK Wind plc (UKW) said it agreed to buy the South Kyle Wind Farm from Vattenfall for £320 million once the farm begins operating in 2023.

UKW is a listed renewable infrastructure fund, invested in 36 operating UK wind farms. UKW is managed by Greencoat Capital LLP, a European renewable investment manager with £5 billion of assets under management.