Windy Standard to get a new life

PLANS to ‘repower’ one of Scotland’s oldest windfarms near the Galloway Forest Park have been approved. The proposals, put forward by Fred Olsen Renewables, are for the removal of 36 turbines at Windy Standard Windfarm near Carsphairn In their place, eight modern, 200 metre tall turbines have been approved by the Scottish Government. According to Fred Olsen, the removal and replacement of the turbines will allow the windfarm to produce twice the amount of energy compared to its current output. Senior project manager Emily Galloway said: “We are delighted to receive planning consent to repower the earliest phase of Windy Standard Windfarm. This approval marks a significant milestone for Windy Standard and will allow us to continue investing in the local area, delivering local benefits and generating even more clean, green, electricity. “Windy Standard was one of the first windfarms to be built in Scotland and it will now be one of the first to be repowered. We want our proposals to celebrate this legacy, and this includes leading the way in identifying solutions for the recycling and repurposing of turbine blade materials. “We look forward to working closely with the community and local stakeholders to deliver this project.” The earliest phase of the windfarm has permission to operate in Carsphairn Forest in the Galloway Hills until the end of 2027, after its original 25-year consent was extended. The repowering will deliver a range of benefits, including a community benefit fund valued at over £7 million. The project has also committed to working with Dumfries and Galloway College to explore how the decommissioned components can support students in their studies, allowing them to get ‘hands on’ with turbine parts prior to entering the workplace. Sofie Olsen Jebsen, CEO of Fred. Olsen Renewables, added: “The repowering of our oldest windfarm marks a significant milestone for us. “Beyond the numbers, this project highlights the remarkable technological advancements since Windy Standard began operations in 1996. We are replacing 36 older turbines with just eight modern ones—while more than doubling energy production.”