Scotland: SSE awards £22m Bhlaraidh wind farm contract to Highland firm RJ McLeod

The enabling works, which were also undertaken by RJ McLeod, started on site in the autumn of last year and primarily included the construction of the on-site substation platform and the main access track to prepare the site ahead of the main works starting this year.

Construction of the project is expected to take around two years to complete, with the site being fully operational by the end of 2017. The works will begin by building the tracks through the site and the spur roads out to each of the turbine locations. The construction of the turbine bases will start in the summer, together with the construction of the crane hardstanding areas, which will be used to erect the turbines.

SSE’s Project Manager, Billy Jack, said: “This is an extremely important milestone for Bhlaraidh wind farm and we are delighted to be working with RJ McLeod again. The construction of the project will continue to bring significant benefits to the area in the form of community investment funds, use of local services and opportunities for the local supply chain. A number of local businesses have already benefited from the enabling works over the last few months.

“As a responsible developer with a strong history in the Highlands, SSE is also working closely with the local community and regular liaison meetings are being held to keep people up to date. The community investment fund will deliver around £13million in financial benefit to the area over the next 25 years, split between the local communities of Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston and Glen Urquhart and the wider region through SSE’s Highland Sustainable Development Fund.”

RJ McLeod’s North Director, Sandy Osborne, said: “We are very pleased to continue our association with SSE and play our part in the construction of the Bhlaraidh wind farm. The project represents an important part of our workload and it will enable us to continue to provide ongoing and additional employment for technical and construction staff based in the Highlands, along with opportunities for the local supply chain.

“We have a long and well proven track record of working in some of the remotest parts of the Highlands and we understand the importance of working together with the local community and other stakeholders. We are an active participant in SSE’s Open4Business portal which provides opportunities for local suppliers to compete for business on this and other Highland projects.”