Glasgow Airport Benefits from New Nearby Onshore Wind Farm

Banks Renewables’ Kype Muir Wind Farm near Strathaven, South Lanarkshire is a 26-turbine wind farm with the capability to generate up to 88.4 MW of clean electricity. A key aspect of the planning process for Kype Muir was to provide a solution for the air traffic control systems at Glasgow airport, situated around 28 miles from the site as current radar systems are unable to differentiate between the “radar signatures” of moving turbine blades and those of aircraft.

The solution was the implementation of a state-of-the-art radar system upgrade by Terma System which was recently installed at the facility operated on behalf of the airport by National Air Traffic Services (NATS). Now Glasgow has become one of just a handful of UK airports benefiting from this advanced level of radar technology.

Thus the new system was officially opened by Michael Matheson MSP, SNP, Falkirk West and Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, in the Scottish Government, at the end of January. The Minister said: “It’s great to see Glasgow Airport hosting the launch of this new radar system, which is a significant development for aviation safety. The new radar is able to distinguish between aircraft and wind turbines situated at Kype Muir Wind Farm, and this technology will be invaluable with the ever-growing sustainable energy sector.”

Andrew Liddell, technical director with Banks Renewables, said: “We’re especially thankful to Glasgow Airport for engaging with us to deliver the new radar. This means that not only will our new wind farm stay clear of any radar detection – but other new wind farms may also benefit from this regional solution. We also acknowledge how proactive and instrumental the Scottish Government has been in helping deliver such a positive outcome.”

Glasgow Airport Managing Director Mark Johnston said: “We are very pleased to announce that the system is now fully operational. For the last three years, the Airport’s planning team has been worked extremely hard with our partners from NATS and Banks Renewables to develop this wind turbine mitigation solution in what is a very complex and safety critical environment. As well as resolving the issue with Kype Muir, the mitigation may also have the potential to resolve issues with other future wind farm proposals, which can only be of benefit to Scotland’s renewable energy sector.”