ScottishPower Renewables has achieved first electricity generation from the new turbines at Coal Clough windfarm near Burnley. The company is currently replacing 24 wind turbines installed in 1992, with eight modern turbines, which will increase the total generating capacity of the windfarm from 9.6 megawatts (MW) to 16 MW.

The delivery of the turbine components only recently concluded, in the last week of August, and ScottishPower Renewables and their contractors have now completed the construction work for all eight new wind turbines. Two of the turbines have been connected to the grid and are generating electricity, and it is anticipated that all turbines will be commissioned and operational over the next month.

Gerry Gibson, Project Manager at ScottishPower Renewables said:

“First power generation is an important milestone for any renewable energy project, and we are very pleased with the progress we have achieved at Coal Clough. We received positive feedback following the delivery of the turbine components, which was completed quickly and with minimal disruption due to the detailed planning we undertook in advance. On-site construction has also been progressing well, and we remain on course to have all of the turbines fully connected by the end of October.

“The original windfarm at Coal Clough was one of the first to be built anywhere in Britain, and it has served the area well for more than 20 years. The site is now also only one of a few across the country that has been repowered, and we look forward to producing renewable energy from Coal Cough for many years to come.”

The construction project at Coal Clough started in early 2014, with the laying of tracks and civil engineering work. Turbine deliveries were completed on schedule, between late July and late August. All eight turbines were constructed by the end of September, and the old turbines have been dismantled. Over the next month all of the new turbines will be fully commissioned.