ScottishPower Renewables, the largest developer and generator of onshore wind power in the UK, has concluded the acquisition of Middleton wind farm, near Newton Mearns, from RWE npower renewables.

The wind farm, developed by RWE, received final planning consent from East Renfrewshire Council in August 2011. The proposal consists of 6 turbines with a maximum height to the blade tip of 105 metres, generating up to 15MW of electricity. It is expected that Middleton wind farm will produce enough renewable power to meet the average electricity demands of up to 8,400 homes.

The site is located within East Renfrewshire Council’s Area for Renewable Energy, approximately 5.5 km south-west of Newton Mearns and 3.5km south of Neilston. ScottishPower Renewables anticipates starting construction of the wind farm in April 2012, with project completion expected in November 2012.

Simon Christian, UK Managing Director, ScottishPower Renewables, said: “Middleton wind farm is well located and will be an excellent addition to our portfolio of onshore wind projects. As well as contributing a valuable amount of clean, green energy towards Scotland’s carbon reduction targets, we hope that the wind farm could create work for up to 40 people during its construction.

“We pride ourselves on being a responsible developer and have successfully built Whitelee wind farm and its two extensions in the local area. All work will be carried out on site in a manner that is sympathetic to the local environment, based on the in-depth studies carried out during the planning process.”

Julia Lynch-Williams, Managing Director of RWE npower renewables said:

"RWE npower renewables has been very successful in developing and gaining consent for onshore wind developments. Following a review of our onshore wind projects we felt selling the six turbine site to ScottishPower Renewables was a good outcome for both parties, particularly given the proximity of Whitelee Wind Farm and the grid connection and radar solutions ScottishPower Renewables already have in place.

She added: "We continue to be one of the UK's leading developers, builders and operators of renewable energy projects. The sale of Middleton supports the continuing optimisation of our onshore wind portfolio with our hydro, biomass and offshore wind projects."