Burgar Hill Energy has acquired two Nordex N80 turbines at the Burgar Hill wind farm in Orkney as part of plans to repower the site.
The turbines were previously owned by RWE, the joint venture between Thrive Renewables and Burgar Hill Renewables said.
Under the proposal, five existing turbines at Burgar Hill would be replaced with newer, higher-efficiency models capable of delivering up to 30 MW of capacity. The project remains subject to planning consent.
If approved, the scheme is expected to generate about £150,000 per year in community benefits.
Burgar Hill is considered a landmark site in wind energy development, having hosted some of the world’s first multi-megawatt turbines and serving as an early testbed for onshore wind during the 1980s.
Melissa Spence, managing director at Burgar Hill Renewables, highlighted the project’s local significance.
“Having grown up with one of the world’s first wind generation sites in our skyline, I’m really excited about the prospect of repowering the turbines at Burgar Hill, ensuring this pioneering site continues generating clean power and supporting our local community,” she said.
Matthew Clayton, chief executive officer at Thrive Renewables, said the acquisition marks an initial step in extending the site’s life.
“Burgar Hill has a rich history in renewable generation and fantastic wind resource, making it a prime location for repowering,” Clayton said.
“We’re thrilled to have taken the first step on that journey through our collaboration with Burgar Hill Renewables, acquiring another two of five existing turbines with an intention to extend the life of the entire site, ensuring it delivers clean electricity and community benefit well into the future.”
