A South Lanarkshire wind farm project has been tipped to deliver a £101 million boost to the local economy.
Connect2Renewables (C2R) was launched in 2014 by Banks Renewables with the support of local communities and South Lanarkshire Council.
Construction of the 88MW Kype Muir Wind Farm, south of Strathaven, is well underway. Almost £20 million worth of contracts have already been awarded to firms based within 30km of the site.
Local firms to have benefited so far include Drumclog Plant Hire, Hillhouse Quarry Ltd and KT Montgomery.
Colin Anderson, development director of Banks Renewables said, “We’re very proud to know that the work we carry out will have long lasting and significant benefits for the local area. A key part of Connect2Renewables is to ensure we use as many local contractors as possible, as we know this has a hugely positive knock on effect for the local economy and the people living and working there.
“The construction of Kype Muir Wind Farm will positively contribute to the area for a generation, with local community groups, shops, businesses and individuals seeing tangible benefits.
“Connect2Renewables is a ground-breaking initiative that is all about giving local people opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have. It also shows that as we increase the amount of clean, renewable energy in our Country to address the climate change imperatives, that we can do it in a way that has very clear social and economic upsides for our communities and businesses.”
Construction works are due to be completed by early 2019.
