ScottishPower Renewables has completed the repowering of Hagshaw Hill, Scotland’s first commercial wind farm, increasing its energy output fivefold while halving the number of turbines at the site, the company said on Monday.
The Hagshaw Hill wind farm, located in South Lanarkshire, first began operating in 1995. It has now been upgraded from 26 turbines to 14 larger, higher-capacity models with a total installed capacity of more than 79 megawatts (MW) — enough to supply electricity to around 57,000 homes.
ScottishPower Renewables chief executive Charlie Jordan said the project marks a symbolic moment for Scotland’s renewable energy industry. “Hagshaw Hill started Scotland’s wind revolution – and now it’s back online, supercharged and ready to lead the next chapter,” Jordan said. “We’re proud of what this site represents: powering homes, powering communities and powering Scotland’s clean energy future.”
The company said more than 100 jobs were supported during the site’s decommissioning and repowering phases. In a first for ScottishPower, all blades from the original turbines are being recycled by specialist firm Plaswire for use in new construction materials.
Plaswire chief executive Andrew Billingsley said: “Plaswire’s recycling process diverts waste from incineration, reducing CO₂ emissions and replacing high-carbon construction products.”
The repowering project will also deliver a 26-fold increase in community funding, providing nearly £400,000 annually to benefit Coalburn, Douglas, Lesmahagow, and Rigside & Douglas Water.
CDLR community group chair Iain Lindsey said the expanded funding will have a tangible local impact. “This will enable us to support even more projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives and leave a lasting legacy in our area,” he said. “It really is fantastic to see Scotland’s first commercial wind farm continue to deliver clean energy and new opportunities right here where it all began.”
ScottishPower Renewables said the Hagshaw Hill repowering is part of its wider strategy to modernise existing wind assets, increase renewable capacity, and contribute to Scotland’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions.
