Drumduff Wind Farm Extension

Photo of Drumduff Wind Farm
(c) David Cheskin
Project StatusIn Development
No of TurbinesUp to 3
Power Rating of TurbinesCirca 5 - 7.2 MW
Capacity of SiteUp to approx. 17 MW
Turbine Tip HeightUp to 180m

Project Background

An updated planning application is being prepared to amend the layout of the consented Drumduff Wind Farm Extension. The updated development will still consist of a three-turbine layout, and will consist of:

  • The two northern turbines increasing from 149.9 m up to a maximum 180 m tip height
  • The one southern turbine increasing from 135 m up to a maximum 149.9 m tip height

This development is an extension to the existing Drumduff Wind Farm located north of Blackridge, West Lothian, and will deliver an expected generation capacity of up to 17 megawatts (MW). This will bring the overall Drumduff Wind Farm to 6 turbines and the combined onsite generation capacity up to approximately 23 MW.

Amending the consented project will provide for maximum flexibility so that the most modern and economically viable turbines suited to the site can be utilised.

The existing Drumduff Wind Farm was constructed by Green Breeze Energy Limited, a joint venture between GreenPower and Thrive Renewables, who continue to own and operate the wind farm. Drumduff Wind Farm Extension is also being developed by both companies under a joint venture, bringing together a considerable amount of project development and financial experience.

GreenPower commits to providing community benefit funds equivalent to £5,000 per MW installed generation capacity. The total funds available per annum will depend on the final export capacity that is consented and constructed. This will build on community funding from the existing Drumduff Wind Farm that has supported the construction of the substantial boardwalk at Blawhorn Moss and provided support to local people during the COVID pandemic through food vouchers for over 149 families and activity packs for Blackridge Primary School pupils and nursery children. Prior to the construction of the Wind Farm, consultation will be carried out with the local community to inform how the new community benefit funds may be best managed and targeted. Consultation will be held in 2025 and we would be very keen to hear feedback from the community about what they deem to be local priorities for the use of the community benefit funding.

Together with the existing Drumduff Wind Farm, we believe the Extension will be an asset to the local area, helping to support the local economy as well as actively contribute towards Scotland, and the UK’s, renewable energy aspirations.

Drumduff Wind Farm Extension previously received consent for an extension to the existing Drumduff Wind Farm located north of Blackridge, West Lothian. The consented development comprised of three turbines, two with a maximum tip height of 149.9m and one with a maximum tip height of 135m, and an expected generation capacity of up to 15MW. 

Drop-In session and Exhibition

GreenPower is hosting the first Drop-in session and Exhibition for the amended Drumduff Wind Farm Extension, details as follows:

  • 4:00pm – 8:00pm on Tuesday 22nd October, at the Craig-Inn Centre, Blackridge, West Lothian, EH48 3SP.

The event is open to the public, no appointment necessary. Information about the project will be presented, and members of the expert project team will be available to discuss the proposal with attendees. There will also be information to take away from the exhibition, and feedback forms will be available for attendees to provide feedback on the proposal.

Materials presented at the Drop-in session and Exhibition will also be made available on this project webpage, and will be published ahead of the date of the Drop-in session. 

The second drop-in session and exhibition will be advertised locally, and on this webpage, once details have been finalised.  

Planning Application Documents:

Updated Planning Application:

Information on the updated planning application will be made available here ahead of the first drop-in session exhibition.

Original Planning Application:

Planning for the proposed development was submitted to West Lothian Council which was validated on the 16th of June 2023. The planning application (reference 0504/FUL/23) can be viewed on the Council’s website here or by using the links below. Digital copies are available free of charge and hard copies can be purchased by contacting GreenPower at enquiries@greenpowerinternational.com

Further Environmental Information:

Following feedback from consultees, a number of changes to the initially submitted application were proposed. These include a reduction in tip height for turbine 3 from 149.9m down to 135m and an extended section of floating track. The Further Environmental Information (FEI) addresses the changes and effects and was submitted to West Lothian Council on the 6th of October 2023. The FEI and updated figures can be viewed on the West Lothian Council Website (reference 0504/FUL/23) or through the links below.