Winning bidder for major windfarm repowering

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has today named its preferred bidder for the Cruach Mhor windfarm redevelopment in Argyll as Belltown Power UK.

Led by a team of renewable energy professionals, Belltown Power UK already has 1GW of UK wind and solar projects underway. It has won a number of awards for the quality of its projects, on-site biodiversity conservation, and industry good practice.

The full re-powering works at Cruach Mhor are anticipated to require approximately £75 million investment, with the initial design phase beginning shortly.

David Leven, FLS' Director of Commercial Development, said;

“We are at the forefront of helping to deliver Scotland’s Climate Emergency targets and we are doing this at scale and at pace.

“The Cruach Mhor project is the first re-powering of one of the 25 windfarms currently operating on public land that we manage. The experience will help us both to refine our processes for the future and to maximise the benefits for Scotland.

“Belltown’s was the strongest bid. It met all of our criteria and included an industry-leading community benefit package that also has scope for shared community ownership."

Operating as a public corporation, FLS earns the greater majority of its income through commercial trading activities, including timber and leases on windfarm sites. All FLS’ income is reinvested in the business of managing Scotland’s national forest and land for the benefit of communities, nature and Scotland’s Climate Emergency effort.

Paul Hewett, CEO of Belltown Power UK, said;

“We are committed to playing our part in enabling the energy transition and combating the climate emergency and we are pleased that our development values and commitment to industry best practice have been rewarded with this tender.

“Communities, education and the environment are at the heart of everything we do. We will consult with the local community as the project progresses to outline the meaningful benefits that our community offering can deliver.”

The Community benefits offered by Belltown Power UK include:

- Giving ownership of 1% of the project to the local community for free, with a further 4% available discounted to cost and more at market value;
- £5,000/MW per year community benefit fund (with the potential for Electricity Discount Schemes for local residents and businesses, or upfront capital to allow further community ownership); and
- where we can, opting to work with local businesses that meet the necessary environmental, safety and quality standards.
Paul Hewett, added;

“Our Education Programme has already supported 15 schools and provided bespoke resources to over 10,000 children to help inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists and climate emergency tacklers. Our new portfolio of projects will expand this further.

“Over their operational lives, our projects currently in planning will save over 30 million tonnes of CO2 whilst powering more than 700,000 homes each year and delivering over 800,000 hectares of biodiversity enhancement.

“We are very much looking forward to working with FLS and with local communities as we begin this major repowering project.”

Notes to Editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
2. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland | twitter.com/ForestryLS
3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Senior Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot