See for yourself how Whitelee Is generating a cleaner future
Lindsay Mcquade, CEO of Scottishpower Renewables, tells Ellie Evans about how the Eaglesham Moor site has become a popular visitor attraction
The sun is rising on a new era of energy with Whitelee Windfarm at its heart. The UK’S largest onshore wind farm, which sits on Eaglesham Moor, just 20 minutes from central Glasgow, is powering the low-carbon revolution here in Scotland – and setting an example for the world to follow.
Whitelee’s 215 turbines generate up to 539 megawatts of electricity, which is enough energy each year to supply almost every home in Glasgow.
The result of a £1.5 billion investment over its lifetime by Scottishpower Renewables, Whitelee produced around 5 per cent of all the renewable electricity generated in Scotland between 2009 and 2019.
This saved more than five million tonnes of carbon emissions compared to equivalent fossil fuel-based generation.
And each year, Whitelee saves the same carbon dioxide as 40,000 football pitches planted with trees.
But it’s not just about renewable energy – with a bustling visitor centre, thriving wildlife habitats and miles of trails to explore, it’s a space for everyone to enjoy.
“Whitelee is an exceptional facility, not just in terms of its production, but as an amenity for the community,” says Lindsay Mcquade, chief executive of Scottishpower Renewables.
Built 13 years ago, Whitelee has become a much-loved visitor destination, an inspiring place that people relate to, feel invested in,
and can see the social, economic and environmental benefits of.
Windfarms offer a visibility and a connection to the source of our energy that is unique, continues Lindsay, who has worked at Scottishpower for more than two decades.
“Energy efficiency is permeating every aspect of our lives and making us think about our choices. We have to do what we can now”
“During that time, I have seen energy change – not just in terms of how we generate it but how we use it, where it comes from and what impact it has on the planet.
“People have realised the connection they have to energy. Energy efficiency is being talked about, electric vehicles are parked on people’s driveways, you can ride on an electric bus… it is now permeating every aspect of our lives and making us think about our own choices.
“We have to do what we can now.”
Whitelee opened in 2009 but work originally began more than ten years earlier to “move to a more sustainable and clean way of generating electricity”.
At that time, wind power was a revolutionary new method of generating energy, calling for a pioneering approach.
The extensive investment reflects the fact it was built at a time when the technology was still in its infancy, and covers everything from the civil work and infrastructure needed and the research into developing habitats around the site to its ongoing maintenance.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to tap into that,” says Lindsay, adding that the site was one of originally five which have now all been commissioned.
Scottishpower is the UK’S only integrated energy company and generates 100 per cent green electricity from offshore and onshore wind. Whitelee forms part of its energy model that will help the UK reach worldleading climate change
targets. The company is investing £10bn in the UK over five years – which equates to £6 million every working day – to double its renewable generation capacity and drive forward decarbonisation to support net-zero emissions.