Project plan

Find out how we developed the site at Kype Muir.

Design considerations

Seeing the bigger picture

We conduct in-depth site assessments and gather extensive feedback from the local community when planning our projects. Our assessments consider all stages of the project lifecycle: construction, operation and decommissioning. The site layout at Kype Muir is the result of an iterative design process reflecting these steps. 
 
We took the following key considerations into account: 

  • Landscape and visual impact with a focus on views from the settlements to the north of the site. 
  • Ecology and ornithology. 
  • Ground conditions, including the areas of deep peat. 
  • Impact on residential properties including noise and shadow flicker.
Turbines

The first turbines placed at Kype Muir, prior to the extension, are 132m in height, with three bladed rotors. Each turbine begins generating power at wind speeds of around 3 – 4 metres per second (m/s) and shuts down at wind speeds of approximately 25m/s. They generate power approximately 85% of the time. 

Foundations

The turbine base is a 15 metre x 15 metre square of concrete, around 4 metres deep. Following construction, we established surface vegetation around the foundations.

Wind monitoring mast 

A permanent anemometer mast is positioned to monitor the performance of the wind turbines by gathering data on wind speeds and direction. The mast is a free standing steel lattice design, around 80 metres in height.

Cabling and grid connection 

There are underground cables linking the turbines. A control building and on-site substation feeds the electricity generated by the turbines into the grid at Coalburn, approximately 8 km to the south east of the site.