The annual output of Whitelee wind farm will be equivalent to the power consumption of around 330,000 households, more than enough to supply a city the size of Glasgow. This could additionally prevent the emission of between 570,000 and 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
This is the second expansion of the Whitelee facility sanctioned by the British government this year (the first was for 130 MW). The construction of both extensions, which could create around 200 jobs, will get underway in 2010.
Once the extensions are complete, Whitelee will have 215 wind turbines, up from 140 at present. The facility will occupy a total area of 80 km2.
Whitelee was inaugurated last May upon completion of the construction of the first phase of development. During the inauguration ceremony, Ignacio Galán, Chairman of Iberdrola Renewables, affirmed that the “Iberdrola Group is deeply committed to the UK and Scotland and wants to be a driver of development and growth in the area. In Scotland, our goal is to create wealth and well-being through our investments and purchasing from local suppliers, as well as to create jobs”.
Last September also marked the inauguration of the Whitelee Visitor Centre, which has already received over 25,000 tours
Strategic commitment to the UK
Iberdrola Renewables is the global leader in wind power, ending the third quarter of 2009 with installed capacity of 10,477 MW and the industry’s largest pipeline (57,400 MW).
The company leads the UK wind energy market via its subsidiary ScottishPower Renewables with installed capacity of 802 MW at the end of September 2009. The UK currently accounts for 9% of Iberdrola Renewables’ pipeline.
