Work begins on £155m South Lanarkshire wind farm set to power 45,000 homes
Work has officially begun on a multi-million pound wind farm in South Lanarkshire, marking a key milestone in Scotland's renewable energy ambitions.
The £155 million Mill Rig Wind Farm, brought forward by leading UK renewables developer OnPath Energy, will generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 45,000 homes annually once fully operational in 2026.
Construction activity on site, near Darvel, is now well underway, with essential infrastructure work – including access roads, substation foundations, and site preparation – progressing at pace.
The 33.4 MW onshore wind project will feature some of the UK's most advanced turbines, harnessing cutting-edge technology to maximise energy generation and efficiency.
Over the coming months, teams will prepare crane pads and lay the turbine foundations. The first turbine components are expected to arrive on-site in the Autumn 2025, with installation and commissioning scheduled for early 2026.
Alan Wells, project manager at OnPath Energy, said: 'Breaking ground on Mill Rig is a huge milestone for OnPath Energy and a major step forward in delivering this strategically important renewable energy project.
'The start of construction marks the culmination of extensive planning, environmental assessments, and collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure the project is developed responsibly and builds community value for local people and businesses to support a just transition to net zero that is fair and inclusive for everyone.
'Our team is now focused on progressing construction efficiently, with strict adherence to best environmental practices and health and safety standards.'
Mill Rig is set to provide long-term economic benefits to the local community and Scotland's renewable energy sector.
As part of the Hamilton-based firm's OnPath Together development approach throughout construction, the project is expected to directly support around 300 jobs, with many more generated indirectly through the wider supply chain.
OnPath Energy has committed to prioritising local contractors and businesses, with £91 million invested within 60km of the site.
Alan added: 'Beyond delivering clean, green electricity, Mill Rig Wind Farm represents a major opportunity to invest in local talent, create jobs, and provide long-term economic value.
'We are committed to maximising the benefits of our projects, from supporting local businesses during construction to reinvesting in communities through our OnPath Together approach to development.'
Over its lifetime Mill Rig Wind Farm will deliver a £5 million community fund supporting local groups, and environmental projects within a 10km radius of the site plus, South Lanarkshire Council is set to receive approximately £18 million in business rates.
Mill Rig Wind Farm is the latest in a series of landmark renewable energy projects delivered by OnPath Energy.
Locran Hayes, contracts manager at RJ McLeod said: 'We're very pleased to be awarded the contract to construct Mill Rig Wind Farm.
'This is our fourth project with the OnPath team who recognise the skills and experience of our staff and operatives, as well as our track record of using local resources and services. We look forward to jointly delivering this important energy asset.'
OnPath Energy recently completed the Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm (now owned by funds managed by Schroders Greencoat LLP), which became the first in the UK to feature turbines with 200-metre tip heights – a breakthrough in onshore wind technology.
With a growing portfolio, OnPath Energy has secured planning permission for 14 wind farms and currently operates 12 onshore wind farms across the UK, with a combined generation capacity of around 252 MW.
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