The project will have an operational capacity of up to 288 MW and will become SPR’s second largest onshore wind project, behind the 539MW Whitelee Windfarm. Comprising a maximum 96 turbines, the Kilgallioch wind farm will see a total investment of over €465mn.

SPR hopes to start construction on the project south of Barhill, Ayrshire county (Scotland), in late 2014, or early 2015, with a view to completion within 24 months. When commissioned, the wind farm will generate enough electricity to meet the annual demands of more than 150,000 homes and prevent the emission to the atmosphere of 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, the company says.

Up to 250 construction jobs will be created. “During Kilgallioch’s 25 year operational life there will be opportunities for employment in turbine maintenance and opportunities for local companies to gain new business by providing a wide range of services,” says the firm.

The UK is one of the Group’s core markets for growth in the coming years, says Iberdrola, which is already one of the largest developers and generators of wind energy in the country. Its current operational wind capacity in the UK is more than 1200MW. The company is currently extending its Black Law onshore wind farm, from 124MW to 193MW.

Meantime, ?the Group is developing an offshore wind power project pipeline of over 8000MW across Europe.?Among the key projects being developed in the UK, East Anglia offshore, in the North Sea stands out for its size. When completed, it will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm, with 7200MW capacity. West of Duddon Sands, developed jointly with Dong in the Irish Sea, will be Iberdrola’s first offshore project however. With an installed capacity of 389MW, the facility will create 500 construction jobs. Construction will begin later this year.?

Also in the UK, the company is leading pilot wave and tidal energy projects Pelamis 2 and Hammerfest Strom HS1000, being developed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney (Scotland).