ScottishPower Renewables has now commenced construction of Harestanes Windfarm, a £160 million project expected to support more than 150 jobs over the next two years, providing additional employment opportunities for local people and companies.

The full site covers an area of 20 km2 and the initial phase of the works will involve construction of roads and tracks on the site to allow access for the delivery of turbines. As part of the development, a new operations and maintenance building will also be constructed.

On completion of the windfarm, 11km of new tracks and paths will be opened to members of the public for recreational use, including two new mountain bike trails, funded by ScottishPower Renewables.

Simon Christian, Managing Director at ScottishPower Renewables, said: “We are very pleased to be starting work on Harestanes Windfarm after a number of years of planning and preparation. It is one of the largest renewable energy projects being developed anywhere in Scotland at present, and it will make a significant contribution to carbon reduction targets in Scotland and the UK.

“Renewable energy continues to be a strong growth sector in the UK, and major projects like this support hundreds of jobs. Over the lifetime of the project, we will need highly skilled technicians to operate and maintain the windfarm and millions of pounds will be invested in the local area.

“We are also pleased that the windfarm will create new tracks that can be accessed by the public, allowing residents and visitors to interact with the development. The area is well known for its mountain bike trails, so we have been working closely with Forestry Commission Scotland and cycling groups to deliver two new specially designed tracks that we hope will encourage even more mountain biking enthusiasts to the area.”