Work to begin on 10MW CFD-supported onshore wind project

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22/02/2018

Whirlwind Renewables has confirmed work will start on a wind farm in Caithness, in the Scottish Highlands, following funding support from Clydesdale Bank’s specialist Renewable Energy team.

Achlachan Wind Farm, which comprises 5 Senvion 2 MW turbines, will be one of the first built under the UK Government’s ‘Contracts for Difference’ (CFD) support mechanism. Site preparation work will start in a matter of weeks with full operations expected by October 2018. Annual energy production will be sufficient to power approximately 8,400 homes.

Whirlwind Renewables, based in the North of England, has been involved in onshore wind projects over the last decade, and now owns and operates several wind energy projects.

The funding from Clydesdale Bank comprises a £12.75m Term Loan plus Ancillary Facilities of £8m.This is the third transaction the business has completed with Clydesdale Bank in the last year and the Bank’s seventh Project Finance transaction in the past six months.

Tom Surman, Director at Whirlwind Renewables, said: “We have a wide range of experience developing onshore wind projects of all sizes, and we are delighted that we are about to commence construction on Achlachan Wind Farm. We have been active in Caithness since 2007 and we have been fortunate to receive the support from the local community. We have met with a number of local residents living close to the project to discuss our plans, which helped us develop the project. We also asked for views on where community benefit payments could be made by the wind farm, which will amount to around £50,000 a year.”

Tom added: “We have really enjoyed working with the landowners and other stakeholders involved in Achlachan and we are looking forward to seeing the project operational. We have also valued the support of the Renewable Energy Team at Clydesdale Bank – it’s been a really positive and seamless experience.”

Keith Wilson, Head of Renewable Energy at Clydesdale Bank, said: “We are delighted to have been given this opportunity to support Achlachan Wind Farm. This project is a notable achievement both for the onshore wind sector generally, which has been challenged by the recent changes in Government policy, and for the team at Whirlwind Renewables, who showed significant experience in navigating the new regulations and in concluding the deal in both a collaborate and efficient manner.”