A proposed 22.5-megawatt extension to Invenergy’s Pencloe wind farm in East Ayrshire has passed a key planning milestone after local authorities raised no objection to the project.
East Ayrshire Council’s support moves the project forward to the next stage of the approval process, where it will be considered by Scottish Ministers. If approved, the five-turbine extension would bring the wind farm’s total capacity to just over 100MW—enough to supply electricity to around 128,000 homes, according to the company.
The extension builds on the existing 81MW wind farm currently under construction, and forms part of Invenergy’s broader renewable energy development strategy in the UK.
“This proposal is an important opportunity to deliver cleaner, more reliable, affordable energy for households across Scotland and the UK,” said Stuart Winter, Invenergy’s vice president and UK country manager.
As part of the development, Invenergy plans to invest £4 million in nearby communities over the lifetime of the extension, in addition to a previously pledged £14 million community package. The funding will be managed by the 9CC Group and directed toward local infrastructure and energy efficiency initiatives.
Invenergy said the extension has been designed to minimise environmental and visual impact, and that ongoing engagement with local stakeholders will continue throughout the project’s development.
“As a long-term partner to East Ayrshire communities, we are fully committed to the people we power and intend to deliver a meaningful and lasting community benefit package,” Winter added.
The company said it would continue to use its existing neighbour liaison forum to support communication with residents during the planning and construction phases.
