Funded through the UK’s Contracts for Difference scheme, the wind farm will produce renewable energy to power around 200,000 UK homes yearly. It forms part of SSE’s Net Zero Acceleration Programme Plus, supporting domestic energy security.
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “It is great to see this latest milestone from SSE which is harnessing natural, renewable resources to power British homes and businesses and investing in the Highlands of Scotland.”
Stephen Wheeler, Managing Director of SSE Renewables, stated: “The construction of our 208MW Strathy South Wind Farm puts SSE’s commitment to support the UK as its clean energy champion into action. By harnessing our natural resources in Scotland’s northern Highlands, we will be able to generate enough renewable energy when Strathy South enters operation in 2027 to power around 200,000 British homes annually and so help achieve the country’s clean power goal.”
Led by Scottish contractor RJ McLeod, the project will support up to 125 jobs at peak construction. Heather Donald, Director of Onshore Wind, Solar, and Battery at SSE Renewables, said: “We are delighted to have started construction on Strathy South Wind Farm, which is another key project in our onshore portfolio and will see significant investment by SSE in the Scottish Highlands.”
Colin Maclean, Director at RJ McLeod’s North Office, noted: “We’ve jointly delivered fifteen onshore wind projects with SSE Renewables, such as the recent Viking on Shetland and the previous Strathy North, and we’re delighted to be working together again on this important energy asset.”
Vestas will supply and install the turbines. Approved in 2021 after a 20-year development process, the project supports the UK’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and Scotland’s 20GW onshore wind target by 2030, while boosting local jobs and sustainability.
