About Kilgallioch

In February 2013, ScottishPower Renewables was granted consent to construct and operate Kilgallioch Windfarm, a 288 megawatt 96 turbine project, located in South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. To view a location plan of the site, click here. 

Developing Kilgallioch Windfarm

As a responsible developer of renewable energy, ScottishPower Renewables undertook years of detailed survey and planning work to design Kilgallioch Windfarm, including thorough consultation with local communities and stakeholders. This involved undertaking a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to evaluate any potential environmental effects associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the windfarm. For more information on the Environmental Impact Assessment process, click here.

SPR held a first round of public information days in June 2009 in the communities of Barrhill, New Luce and Kirkcowan, to provide information regarding the proposed windfarm to local residents, and to gain feedback on the proposals.

The Evolution of Kilgallioch Windfarm

In March 2010 we submitted the original application for Kilgallioch Windfarm to the Scottish Government for determination. This application was for a 132 turbine development, capable of generating up to 396 megawatts The details of this application were presented at a second round of Public Information Days held in April 2010.

We went on to refine our proposals to take into account, where possible, feedback received as a result of ongoing consultation with statutory consultees, members of the public and other stakeholders. In doing so we reduced the number of turbines from 132 to 99 and reduced the tip height of two turbines in the southwest of the site from 146.5 metres to 125 metres. This 25% reduction in turbines led to a similar reduction in length of access tracks, number of watercourse crossings etc.

In January 2012 we submitted an Addendum to the Scottish Government, explaining the changes we had made, providing further information requested by consultees since the original application was submitted and updating the relevant assessments in light of the changes made.

A layout plan of the proposed windfarm can be viewed here.

The Non Technical Summary of the Addendum can be downloaded here and a more informal Project Summary Document can be downloaded here.

Following the submission of the Addendum, we undertook further consultation with Dumfries and Galloway Council and this resulted in final refinements to the project, with the deletion of an additional three turbines and the commitment to support the development of two Countryside Ranger posts for the purposes of the promotion, management and upkeep of the South Upland Way in Dumfries and Galloway.

In November 2012, the Kilgallioch Windfarm Proposal was considered at the Dumfries and Galloway Planning Applications Committee where the elected members resolved not to object to the windfarm.

The Scottish Government has now granted SPR consent to build and operate Kilgallioch windfarm and we anticipate that construction could begin around 2014.

Why this is a good area for a windfarm

This is a good area for windfarm development due to a number of factors, including the following:

• It has a good wind resource;
• It is accessible by construction traffic and for turbine deliveries;
• Grid capacity is available nearby;
• It is partially located within ‘Areas of Search for Large Scale Windfarms' in the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan (approved November 2007); and
• It is largely located within an ‘Area of Search for Large Scale Wind Energy Development'' in the Dumfries & Galloway Interim Planning policy (IPP) Wind Energy Development (approved February 2012).