SSE announces construction of Aberarder Wind Farm

SSE has taken a final investment decision to proceed with Aberarder Wind Farm near Inverness, in a circa £100m investment boost for its onshore wind portfolio.

Construction of the 12 turbine, 50MW wind farm, which is wholly owned by SSE Renewables, will begin before the end of the year with completion scheduled for the end of 2026.

Located at Strathnairn near Inverness, on a natural plateau at an average of 700m above sea level, the Aberarder project site sits directly adjacent to the operational 94MW Dunmaglass Wind Farm, which is jointly owned by SSE Renewables and Greencoat UK Wind.

SSE Renewables acquired the fully consented Aberarder Wind Farm project in October 2022. When completed and operational, Aberarder will be capable of harnessing enough energy to power the equivalent of 60,000 homes annually, while offsetting over 35,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

Heather Donald, director of onshore development and construction, SSE Renewables, said: “Onshore wind is a critical component of the net zero transition. Projects like Aberarder support jobs and communities and generate clean green electricity for millions of homes and businesses up and down the country.

“They are also the foundation of a homegrown electricity system and will help strengthen energy security and deliver on Scotland and the UK’s net zero targets.”

Delivery of the Aberarder project will see SSE Renewables, in partnership with The Highland Council, undertake £2.5million of improvement works on the nearby Flichity Bridge. Adding to the more than £9.75million of improvements to road infrastructure already delivered by SSE Renewables as part of the nearby Dunmaglass project.

Once operational, a substantial multi-million-pound Community Benefit Fund will be established for Aberarder, with equal funding contributions to be paid to local organisations from an annual community fund as well as from the Highland Sustainable Development Fund.

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