RWE has commenced construction on the 63-megawatt Golticlay onshore wind farm in Caithness, located approximately 5 kilometers northwest of Lybster, the German energy company said on Thursday.
The development will include 11 Nordex N149/5.7 turbines with tip heights reaching 180 meters. The project is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2026 and is expected to produce enough electricity to power around 84,000 homes annually, according to RWE.
Farrans has been appointed as the lead civil contractor, while Nordex will supply its Delta4000-series turbines via the port of Wick. RWE stated it is working with regional suppliers, including Alan Gow Groundworks, which anticipates employing 25 workers during its portion of the construction.
“This is an exciting moment as work begins on the Golticlay onshore wind farm, a project that underscores our commitment to Scotland’s renewable energy sector,” said Victoria Allen, RWE’s head of onshore development in Scotland. “Golticlay will not only generate clean, home-grown power but also deliver economic benefits at a regional level.”
The wind farm is one of four RWE projects currently under construction in Scotland, alongside Enoch Hill, Camster II and Strathy Wood. Combined, these projects are expected to deliver a total capacity of 231 megawatts, the company said.
Patrick Murray, regional director at Farrans, said the development “will bring transformative benefits to both the local economy and Scotland’s renewable energy goals.
Nicholas Smith, UK & Ireland project manager at Nordex Group, added: “Our work with Scottish businesses and use of the port of Wick ensures not only high-performance energy generation but also meaningful benefits for the community.
