ScottishPower has set out proposals for a major redevelopment of Whitelee Windfarm that would increase its output and replace much of the existing plant. If approved, the £1.5 billion scheme aims to roughly double generation to around one gigawatt, which the company says would be sufficient to supply about 650,000 homes.
What the project involves
The current site, commissioned in 2008 and opened to the public in 2009, would see its 215 turbines removed and replaced by 124 larger turbines, each reaching about 250 metres in height. ScottishPower estimates the repowering and expansion will take around 10 years to develop and construct, with the upgraded windfarm targeted to be operational by 2035. A planning application is expected in December 2027.
"Whitelee is one of the largest onshore windfarms in Europe and the jewel in the UK’s ren
Local economy and community benefits
The company projects an economic boost with roughly £330 million in gross value added to the Scottish economy and about £500 million of supply chain opportunities. ScottishPower says hundreds of jobs would be supported throughout the development and construction phases.
- Estimated household equivalent: 650,000 homes
- Increase in capacity: ~300,000 homes more than current output
- Annual community fund: proposed £5 million per year
Communities near the windfarm — spanning parts of East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire — are expected to see an expanded community benefit programme and potential opportunities for partial community ownership. Since Whitelee opened, more than £20 million has been distributed in community benefit funding across those council areas.
Partners, environmental context and planning
ScottishPower Renewables is developing the proposals alongside landowners Forestry Land Scotland and Scottish Water. The company says reusing existing infrastructure at the site is a key element of the plan, intending to preserve and increase Scotland’s renewable capacity while limiting new land take.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Project value | £1.5bn |
| Target capacity | 1GW (~650,000 homes) |
| Current turbines | 215 |
| Proposed turbines | 124 (c. 250m tall) |
| Economic GVA | £330m |
| Supply chain opportunities | £500m |
Planning permission will be required from the relevant authorities and the application scheduled for late 2027 will trigger environmental assessments, community consultations and statutory processes. Given the scale of the works and the windfarm’s proximity to multiple council areas, the proposals are likely to undergo detailed scrutiny on landscape, ecology and transport impacts.
What it means for East Ayrshire
For East Ayrshire residents, the proposal represents both an opportunity and a period of change. The construction phase could provide local employment and business for suppliers, while the enlarged community fund may offer increased resources for local projects. At the same time, residents and local planners will be asked to weigh the landscape and environmental considerations associated with taller turbines and renewed infrastructure.
The Whitelee upgrade, if granted approval and delivered on schedule, would consolidate the site’s role in Scotland’s renewable energy mix and deliver long-term benefits across the regional economy. Local people will have the chance to engage when ScottishPower submits its formal plans and the statutory consultation process begins.
Reporter: Priya Gray, East Ayrshire News Correspondent, InfoRadar.
