Earlsburn

Summary

Current status : Completed.
Location : Campsie Hills, Stirling, SCOTLAND
Number of turbines : 15
Expected capacity : 37.5 MW
The amount of clean energy produced annually is the equivalent to the energy consumed by: 25,000
Amount of CO2 saved : 100,000 tonnes
Planning authority : Stirling Council
Project manager : Euan Fraser

Earlsburn wind farm is located on open moorland in the Campsie Hills, between Stirling and Glasgow, just north of the Carron Reservoir.

Following detailed monitoring of the wind resource, consideration of the location, environmental effects and the distance from local communities we concluded that Earlsburn was an ideal location for a wind farm. After carrying out extensive environmental assessment work we submitted our plans to Stirling Council in November 2003. Stirling Council resolved to grant planning permission in July 2004 and the permission was issued in February 2006. Turbines were installed during the winter of 2006-2007. The wind farm became fully operational in December 2007.

The wind farm has 15 turbines with a total installed capacity of 37.5 MW. That is enough clean, green electricity to supply around 25,000 homes. This is roughly equal to half of all the homes in the Stirling Council area. The wind farm is owned by Earlsburn Wind Energy Limited (EWEL) which is a subsidiary of Falck Renewables. The project was developed with RDC Scotland in association with West Coast Energy Limited.

RJ McLeod provided the civil engineering work on site and Econnect undertook the electrical design and installation. The turbines were built and installed by German company Nordex AG , one of the world’s leading turbine suppliers. ScottishPower provided the grid connection and associated equipment under a separate contract. The grid connection from the existing sub station at Bonnybridge is an underground connection of more than 20 km.