Definition
Whitelee Wind Farm is an on‑shore wind energy facility situated on the hills above the villages of Eaglesham and Waterfoot, straddling the boundary between East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire in Scotland, United Kingdom. It is the largest on‑shore wind farm in the UK by installed capacity.
Overview
Construction of the wind farm began in 2005 and the first phase was commissioned in 2006. A second phase, completed in 2012, expanded the installation to its current scale. The farm is owned and operated by Scottish Power Renewables, a subsidiary of Iberdrola. With an installed capacity of approximately 539 megawatts (MW), Whitelee generates enough electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes and contributes significantly to the UK’s renewable‑energy targets. A public visitor centre, opened in 2009, provides educational displays and guided tours, promoting awareness of wind‑energy technology.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Whitelee” derives from the local geographical area known as Whitelee Moor, a historic upland region characterized by open moorland and grazing. The term “lee” is a Scots word meaning a hillside or slope, while “white” likely refers to the light‑coloured grasses and heather that dominate the landscape during certain seasons. The wind farm adopted this established place name to reflect its location.
Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Approximately 10 km south‑west of Glasgow, spanning parts of East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire. |
| Site area | Roughly 36 km² (14 square miles) of upland moorland. |
| Installed capacity | ~539 MW (Phase 1: 140 turbines × 2 MW; Phase 2: 75 turbines × 2.3 MW). |
| Number of turbines | 215 turbines, predominantly Vestas V112 model. |
| Rotor diameter | 112 m (Vestas V112). |
| Hub height | Approximately 80 m. |
| Annual generation | Around 1.6 TWh (varies with wind conditions). |
| Owner/operator | Scottish Power Renewables (Iberdrola). |
| Commissioning dates | Phase 1: 2006; Phase 2: 2012. |
| Public access | Visitor centre with a 1 km circular walk, viewing platforms, and educational exhibits. |
| Environmental considerations | Extensive ecological surveys were conducted before construction; measures include bird‑monitoring programs and habitat restoration of adjacent peatlands. |
Related Topics
- Renewable energy in the United Kingdom – broader context of the UK’s wind‑energy strategy and policy framework.
- Scottish Power Renewables – the corporate entity responsible for development and operation of multiple wind projects in Scotland.
- On‑shore wind farms – category of wind power installations located on land, as opposed to offshore developments.
- Wind power in Scotland – overview of Scotland’s wind‑energy capacity, policies, and significant projects.
- Vestas wind turbines – Danish manufacturer of the turbine models employed at Whitelee.
- Peatland restoration – environmental initiatives often associated with upland wind‑farm sites to mitigate carbon emissions.