Work begins on £155m South Lanarkshire wind farm set to power 45,000 homes
Work has officially begun on a multi-million pound wind farm in South Lanarkshire, marking a key milestone in Scotland's renewable energy ambitions.
The £155 million Mill Rig Wind Farm, brought forward by leading UK renewables developer OnPath Energy, will generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 45,000 homes annually once fully operational in 2026.
Construction activity on site, near Darvel, is now well underway, with essential infrastructure work – including access roads, substation foundations, and site preparation – progressing at pace.
The 33.4 MW onshore wind project will feature some of the UK's most advanced turbines, harnessing cutting-edge technology to maximise energy generation and efficiency.
Over the coming months, teams will prepare crane pads and lay the turbine foundations. The first turbine components are expected to arrive on-site in the Autumn 2025, with installation and commissioning scheduled for early 2026.
Alan Wells, project manager at OnPath Energy, said: 'Breaking ground on Mill Rig is a huge milestone for OnPath Energy and a major step forward in delivering this strategically important renewable energy project.
'The start of construction marks the culmination of extensive planning, environmental assessments, and collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure the project is developed responsibly and builds community value for local people and businesses to support a just transition to net zero that is fair and inclusive for everyone.
'Our team is now focused on progressing construction efficiently, with strict adherence to best environmental practices and health and safety standards.'
Mill Rig is set to provide long-term economic benefits to the local community and Scotland's renewable energy sector.
As part of the Hamilton-based firm's OnPath Together development approach throughout construction, the project is expected to directly support around 300 jobs, with many more generated indirectly through the wider supply chain.
OnPath Energy has committed to prioritising local contractors and businesses, with £91 million invested within 60km of the site.
Alan added: 'Beyond delivering clean, green electricity, Mill Rig Wind Farm represents a major opportunity to invest in local talent, create jobs, and provide long-term economic value.
'We are committed to maximising the benefits of our projects, from supporting local businesses during construction to reinvesting in communities through our OnPath Together approach to development.'
Over its lifetime Mill Rig Wind Farm will deliver a £5 million community fund supporting local groups, and environmental projects within a 10km radius of the site plus, South Lanarkshire Council is set to receive approximately £18 million in business rates.
Mill Rig Wind Farm is the latest in a series of landmark renewable energy projects delivered by OnPath Energy.
Locran Hayes, contracts manager at RJ McLeod said: 'We're very pleased to be awarded the contract to construct Mill Rig Wind Farm.
'This is our fourth project with the OnPath team who recognise the skills and experience of our staff and operatives, as well as our track record of using local resources and services. We look forward to jointly delivering this important energy asset.'
OnPath Energy recently completed the Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm (now owned by funds managed by Schroders Greencoat LLP), which became the first in the UK to feature turbines with 200-metre tip heights – a breakthrough in onshore wind technology.
With a growing portfolio, OnPath Energy has secured planning permission for 14 wind farms and currently operates 12 onshore wind farms across the UK, with a combined generation capacity of around 252 MW.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Property market 'strongest in three years' in first half of 2025
The nation's property market was the strongest it has been since 2022 in the first half of this year, fresh analysis shows. Property transactions and mortgage approvals hit a three-year high in the first half of the year, analysis by estate agent comparison website GetAgent reveals. The figures were boosted by a hike in stamp duty in April, which led property buyers to rush to complete before the deadline. However, GetAgent said the numbers of new mortgages approved had 'remained consistently strong' after that, 'suggesting plenty of buyer appetite to drive transactions through the remainder of the year'. This was in part because of mortgage lenders loosening their affordability rules, a change which has benefited first-time buyers. An average of 63,866 mortgages were approved each month between January and June, its analysis of HM Revenue and Customs and Bank of England data showed. In addition, 103,917 property transactions completed each month between January and June, which GetAgent said was the strongest level of activity seen in the property market since 2022. This fell towards the end of the period, with 93,530 transactions completed in June according to HMRC. Colby Short, chief executive of GetAgent, said: 'It's clear many remain confident in the market, with about half of the introductions we facilitate proceeding to list within six months.' Buyers had been enjoying reduced stamp duty bills since 2022 but the tax-free allowances and rates reverted on April 1 as Chancellor Rachel Reeves failed to extend the tax holiday in her inaugural Budget. The so-called 'nil-rate threshold' – at which stamp duty starts to be charged – were lowered from £250,000 to £125,000. First-time buyers could previously buy a £425,000 property without paying stamp duty but this has been lowered to £300,000. Justin Moy, of Essex-based mortgage brokers, said: 'Much of the increased activity would have been driven by the desire to buy before the stamp duty changes in April, with both first time buyers and homemakers looking to cash in before their cost to move increased substantially. 'Whilst activity has calmed down over the last few months, we are starting to see renewed enquiries fuelled by improved mortgage lender affordability.' Mortgage affordability boost A handful of major lenders have relaxed their mortgage affordability rules in recent months, which means homebuyers can now potentially borrow tens of thousands of pounds more. HSBC's relaxation of affordability rules, for example, means the average first time buyer will be able to borrow some £39,000 more. Moy also said mortgage rates are reasonably settled for the rest of the year, so anyone holding out for a better deal will start to make moves, which will spark a steady uptick in mortgage approvals and sales over the coming months. The average two-year fixed-rate deal was 5 per cent on 8 August, while an average five-year deal was 5.01 per cent, according to rate scrutineer Moneyfacts. This comes as house prices in July had their biggest monthly rise of the year so far, according to Halifax, as mortgage rates keep falling and banks offer bigger home loans. The mortgage lender said the average price went up by 0.4 per cent in the month of July, making the typical home worth £298,237. This is compared to £297,157 in June. Best mortgage rates and how to find them Mortgage rates have risen substantially over recent years, meaning that those remortgaging or buying a home face higher costs. That makes it even more important to search out the best possible rate for you and get good mortgage advice, whether you are a first-time buyer, home owner or buy-to-let landlord. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you To help our readers find the best mortgage, This is Money has partnered with the UK's leading fee-free broker L&C. This is Money and L&C's mortgage calculator can let you compare deals to see which ones suit your home's value and level of deposit. You can compare fixed rate lengths, from two-year fixes, to five-year fixes and ten-year fixes. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use This is Money and L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you.
Wales Online
22 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Scarlets announce major US investment as Dan Biggar and David Moffett on board
Scarlets announce major US investment as Dan Biggar and David Moffett on board The Scarlets have secured significant new investment General view inside Parc y Scarlets (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency) The Scarlets have secured significant new investment after entering into a partnership with US-based House of Luxury (HOL). Under the terms of the proposal, HOL's dedicated sports and entertainment investment division intends to acquire a majority controlling stake of 55 per cent in the club and have already assumed non-rugby operational leadership in partnership with the existing Scarlets board. Former Welsh Rugby Union CEO David Moffett heads up HOL's sports and entertainment division, while Wales legend Dan Biggar is also involved in the project. Leading sports strategic Andy Golding and Leanne Batts, an innovation lead for NZ rugby and digital sports strategic, are also on board. The club's new partners will take up current financial liabilities and responsibility for commercial growth and future strategic vision reporting directly to the Scarlets board, while working towards a full equity transaction. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. HOL's partnership comes at a pivotal moment as the Welsh Rugby Union considers the future structure of its professional teams post- 2027, with a critical need for stability and strategic leadership for the club. Article continues below They will begin a formal consultation later this month which could result in a reduction of Wales' professional teams from four to three or even two. The Scarlets say they will continue to work constructively with the WRU on the structural review. The Scarlets say the new partnership will bring immediate financial stability, strategic leadership and expertise to support commercial growth, along with additional investment into fan experience, player pathways and global partnerships. They also believe it will bring leadership in navigating legal, structural and competitive reform within Welsh rugby. 'Scarlets is a rugby club that has been at the forefront of Welsh rugby and an integral part of the community of west Wales for more than 150 years," said Scarlets executive chairman Simon Muderack. "We are all fiercely proud of what this club stands for and will continue to protect that legacy. "This partnership is the start of a new era for our club, strengthening our position with new investment, new ideas and a shared ambition to return the Scarlets to the top of European rugby. 'The new deal with HOL puts the Scarlets in control of its own future as we act boldly to move forward with a partner that will add significant resources and ambition. "Crucially, it enables a future where Scarlets will continue to play in Llanelli, retain Scarlets' strong identity and represent the whole of west Wales with pride.' Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free The new agreement allows the Scarlets' identity to remain the same while supporter ownership principles continue with a direct relationship to fans maintained. It has also pledged to maintain the club's cultural integrity which includes championing the Welsh language, community links and the Scarlets heritage. 'This is one of the most storied rugby clubs in the world and we believe it should be competing and winning at the highest level," said HOL CEO Kirsti Jane. "We're here to make that happen and help drive the Scarlets' future success and protect its unique identity and legacy.' HOL's headquarters are in Montana, while it is a luxury asset agency with global expertise in high-value assets, including sport, real estate and automotive. In 2025, HOL was recognised as 34th on the 50 fastest-growing businesses list by WPO (Women Presidents'; Organisation) and JP Morgan Chase. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "We're not just here to preserve Scarlets' incredible rugby heritage - we're here to transform this club into a powerful engine for community prosperity," said HOL chief experience officer Simon Kozlowski. Article continues below "This partnership will create jobs, attract international investment to west Wales and deliver an amazing experience for our fans. Our vision extends far beyond rugby to create lasting value for the entire region."
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Scotsman
'We now have a short window to get this right'
Altens Industrial Estate | contributed Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Drive around the 250-hectare Altens Industrial Estate just south of Aberdeen's port and you quickly notice the company names on its buildings. They are a roll-call of the city's heritage as a global hub for oil and gas: Subsea7, a Norwegian company in underwater pipelaying, Weatherford, a US oil well drilling specialist, and Wood Group, probably Scotland's best-known North Sea business. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Yet on the estate's eastern edge a new narrative is slowly emerging. In one new building, thick cabling used to carry power from offshore wind farms is being stress-tested by a giant purpose-built machine at the Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence (FLOWIC), the only facility of its kind in the world. Upstairs is HonuWorx, a Scottish company that develops uncrewed, electric submarines designed to replace the polluting, diesel-powered surface vessels that are currently used in subsea inspection and maintenance in offshore oil and gas and offshore wind. Aberdeen's hopes for managing a transition from a declining North Sea hydrocarbon basin to the opportunities in renewable energy rest partly on efforts like this. The two organisations are tenants at the 'Wind Campus' of the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ), an initiative set up in 2021 to turn 40 hectares of brownfield sites across Altens into 'Scotland's largest dedicated energy transition complex'. The idea is to capture the supply chain opportunities that its backers, including Sir Ian Wood, believe will come from ScotWind, a plan under which 20 private consortia aim to build vast wind farms off the Aberdeenshire coast. If built, they will deliver just over half the UK's planned offshore wind pipeline. In addition, a £420 million redevelopment of Port of Aberdeen's South Harbour, on the northern tip of the ETZ, is seen as an ideal location for partial assembly of the kit needed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad ETZ Innovation Campus | contributed 'We need to make sure we're able to support the supply chain that's already here on the back of oil and gas to make the transition, so that this region remains a global leader,' explains Maggie McGinlay, ETZ chief executive. Some encouraging news came this week. Aberdeen-based North Star, an investee company of Scottish National Investment Bank, won a contract from RWE of Germany to supply four hybrid diesel-electric service vessels to support wind farms off the UK and German coasts, creating 100 jobs over the next decade. Yet the reality is that work in offshore wind is coming too slowly to generate business for supply chain businesses with long-established pedigrees in subsea engineering to make the transition to renewables. Many of them are family-owned businesses representing the backbone of the North-east's economy. Last month the UK government indicated it would sweeten incentives for developers to enter the next auction of subsidy contracts for fixed-bottom wind farms. But the outlook for floating wind farms, which operate in deeper waters and make up the bulk of ScotWind, is uncertain. The technology has yet to be developed at scale in a way that's commercially viable. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This means work is scarce for businesses such as Acteon, owner of a US moorings and anchors unit called InterMoor, whose UK head office is in Aberdeen. 'As a supply chain company, we're ready to step up but it's challenging for everyone in the industry without a clear pipeline of projects,' says Matthew Heyman, Acteon's business development executive. The UK government's windfall tax has also had a chilling effect on North Sea hydrocarbon exploration. Bob Drummond, chief executive of D2Zero, another Wind Campus tenant, recently warned of a 'cliff edge' of job losses in precisely the subsea engineering skills needed for offshore wind. Still, work is progressing at the ETZ, which has £53m in grant funding from the UK and Scottish governments, plus £5m in funding from the Wood Foundation through Opportunity Northeast. A recent programme to help local supply chain companies understand how to take advantage of the shift to offshore wind involved 40 businesses. South Harbour | contributed The building hosting FLOWIC was the first to be built, with further 'transformational anchor projects' planned. One is an Energy Transition Skills Hub that opens next month on a disused dairy next to the Altens campus of North East Scotland College, the project's partner. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Funding has come from the Scottish government's Just Transition Fund and £1.8m from Shell. Further money from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, the UK skills body for the engineering construction sector, will pay for the equipping of a modern welding academy. 'It's a facility that can be responsive to industry demand,' McGinlay says. Next, in November, comes ETZ Energy Works, a manufacturing workshop to help startups grow with support from the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland and funding from Scottish Enterprise and the UK government. Maggie McGinlay, ETZ chief executive | contributed The ETZ shows the value of public sector support where the private sector is not yet able to commit. It's now crucial that Great British Energy, the new publicly-owned energy company, moves at warp speed to deploy £300m just allocated by the UK government to spur development of floating wind. And notwithstanding Rachel Reeves' dismissal this week of calls to scrap the oil and gas windfall tax, the Chancellor must now at least consider re-introducing the investment allowances that previously made North Sea exploration viable for many of the companies now exiting.
