ScottishPower Renewables’ Visitor Centre at Whitelee Windfarm has reopened for a fifth season - a month earlier than previous years.  The earlier opening came in response to visitor feedback for increased hours during the winter months and is a real testament to the success of the centre, which has welcomed over 300,000 visitors since first opening in 2009.

Located on the edge of the UK's largest windfarm, the £2m visitor centre at Whitelee includes a range of interactive displays and exhibitions, as well as a separate learning hub staffed by Glasgow Science Centre experts. It is the ideal location to learn all about renewable energy and the site’s 215 turbines are fully accessible from over 130km of tracks.

Work has also begun to construct a network of bespoke mountain biking trails set close to the visitor centre and due to open later this year. The new development, which lies just 500 meters from the visitor centre, will bring an exciting dimension to cycling at the site, adding to the existing network of tracks that are already popular with cyclists, joggers and horse-riders. There is also a new viewpoint at Blackwood Hill to explore.

Simon Christian, UK Managing Director for ScottishPower Renewables, said: “The level of interest in renewable energy continues to grow and we’re delighted to welcome so many visitors to the UK’s largest onshore windfarm.

“Through our partnership with Glasgow Science Centre we continue to develop our activity programme to educate as many people as possible about the important role that renewables play now and in the future.

“The creation of Whitelee has already opened up large sections of the countryside for recreational use and we’re looking forward to welcoming more cycling enthusiasts to our mountain bike trails later this year.

During February the Visitor Centre is open Wednesday to Friday (10.00am to 3.00pm) and weekends (10am to 5.00pm). From 1st March the Visitor Centre is open seven days a week from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

Media Information – ScottishPower Press Office – 0141 614 4660

Notes to editors

Whitelee is the UK's largest onshore windfarm, located on Eaglesham Moor just 20 minutes from central Glasgow. Its 215 turbines generate up to 539 megawatts of electricity, enough to power just under 300,000 homes*.

With more than 130 kilometres of trails to explore, on foot, by cycle or by horse, with free parking and free entry to our onsite visitor centre, Whitelee is a great destination for a day out with the whole family.

*298,837 homes per year based on the expected average capacity factor of 27% and an average annual domestic electricity usage of 4,266kWh