The completion of the 50MW Longhill Burn Wind Farm in West Lothian, Scotland, has marked a significant milestone in renewable energy, with retail giant Sainsbury's committing to purchasing the entirety of the electricity generated by the facility. Developed by Energiekontor and owned by Capital Dynamics, the wind farm features cutting-edge Siemens Gamesa turbines, making it a pioneering renewable energy project.
Construction on this site commenced in 2021 and boasts a total of eight Siemens Gamesa turbines, each capable of delivering a maximum output between 6MW and 6.4MW. Sainsbury's highlighted that these turbines are the largest and most powerful onshore wind turbines available in the UK. At full capacity, they will contribute to meeting up to 33% of the retailer's total electricity requirements. Over the course of a year, it is anticipated that the wind farm will produce approximately 150,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, sufficient to power approximately 55,000 average UK households.
Longhill Burn Wind Farm represents the seventh renewable energy project from which Sainsbury's purchases 100% of the electricity generated, with an eighth site slated to become operational next year. Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury's Director of Property, Procurement, and EV Ventures, expressed pride in the investment, stating, “We're very proud to be investing in this state-of-the-art, sustainable source of new wind power, featuring the largest, most cutting-edge onshore turbines available in the UK. Now it's completed, Longhill Burn Wind Farm can begin to realize its full potential, helping us take another massive step towards reducing our reliance on carbon.”
Sainsbury's has a distinguished history in directly purchasing wind power for its estate, starting in 2008, underscoring its commitment to sustainable technologies. The project was developed in collaboration with Energiekontor AG, which managed the construction and will oversee the day-to-day operations and maintenance of Longhill Burn Wind Farm. Capital Dynamics' and Energiekontor's extensive experience in operations management will further contribute to the project's long-term viability and success.
