A new windfarm that is capable of supplying clean, green electricity to over 40,000 homes has officially opened in South Ayrshire today (29 November).

Dersalloch Windfarm, located on Dersalloch Hill between Straiton and Dalmellington, features 23 turbines with an installed capacity of 69MW.

Local community groups will also be boosted by a community benefits package worth more than £8.5million over the next 25 years.

Dersalloch is the first of eight onshore windfarm projects currently being delivered by ScottishPower Renewables to increase green energy output in Scotland’s electricity sector.

Dersalloch, combined with seven other projects across Scotland, will see 221 turbines erected, with an investment of more than £650million.

When all sites come online, this unprecedented investment in clean energy will generate nearly 500MW of electricity - enough to power over 130,000 homes.

Keith Anderson, chief executive of ScottishPower Renewables, said: “I’m delighted to see Dersalloch Windfarm officially starting its operational life. It has always had the potential to be a significant renewable energy project and, combined with the other windfarms we are currently constructing, will play a significant part in the future of Scotland’s energy production.

“Scotland is ideally placed to be a key player in delivering clean energy and in making it work for communities across the country, whether through the creation of hundreds of construction or operational jobs, significant funding packages to benefit community groups and not least powering their homes via wholly renewable sources.”