The 16-MW Langhope Rig Wind Farm -- located on the Scottish Borders, approximately 5 kilometers west of Ashkirk, and 4 kilometers southeast of Ettrickbridge -- will generate the equivalent energy needs of approximately 15,000 Scottish homes when complete.

“GE’s wind turbines were the right fit for the Langhope Rig Wind Farm site,” said Kirstanne McDowell, corporate affairs, wholesale, for SSE Renewables, the largest generator of electricity from renewable sources across the U.K. and Ireland. (As of September 2013, SSE Renewables had 3,237 MW of renewable energy capacity in the U.K. and Ireland.)  

Langhope Rig Wind Farm has a hub height restriction of 82.5 meters and a blade length restriction of 40.2 meters. GE’s 1.6-82.5 wind turbines, which have a hub height of 82.5 meters, will be used at the site. GE also will provide operations and maintenance for the wind farm working in conjunction with SSE under their long-term, strategic fleet management arrangements.

The Langhope Rig project, with the support of GE, aims to help the Scottish government achieve its challenging renewable energy targets. In short, the Scottish Government's goal is for renewables to generate the equivalent of 100 per cent gross annual consumption by 2020, with a new interim target of 50 per cent by 2015.  

“Wind energy is fast growing in Scotland, and we are proud to help bring a cleaner source of power to the region,” said Cliff Harris, general manager of GE’s renewable energy business in Europe.