Introduction
M74 West Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Glasgow based renewable energy developer Renewco Power Limited, is bringing forward a new renewable energy development at a site northwest of Abington services, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The project is called M74 West Renewable Energy Park (M74 West) and will include up to 22 wind turbines, solar photo-voltaic (PV) generation and a battery energy storage system (BESS). The proposed development will have a total installed capacity of approximately 295MW.
An application for consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for M74 West has been submitted to the Scottish Government. The application includes an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a report on the pre-application consultation activities that have taken place. Further details of the application, along with copies of the application documents, can be found below.
Location
The M74 West site extends over an area of approximately 1,275 ha north and south of the M74, north west of Abington and approximately 4.5 km south east of Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The site is centred around OS grid reference NS 989983 26013.
Our Proposals
- 22 wind turbines (approximately 165 MW)
- Solar PV panels (approximately 80 MW AC)
- Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), (approximately 50 MW capacity)
- Onsite substation
- Meteorological mast
- Internal access tracks
- Access direct to the site from the A702, B7078 and B740
- New temporary access direct to the site from the M74 (southbound) for turbine deliveries
The project has a contracted grid connection to the proposed Redshaw Substation, which is being developed by Scottish Power Energy Networks [SPEN] on land adjacent to M74 West. It is anticipated that the grid connection will be by underground cable.
Indicative Development Timescale
8th January
EIA Scoping Request submission
8th February 2024
Public consultation exhibition 1
12th June 2024
Public consultation exhibition 2
September 2024
Submission of EIA and S36 application
end of 2025
Consent granted
Q3 2026
Discharge of planning conditions
Q2 2027
Start of construction
Q4 2028
Start of operation
Q4 2068
Start of decommissioning
Q4 2069
Decommissioning complete
Application for Consent
M74 West Limited has submitted an application for consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct the M74 West Renewable Energy Park. The application is being administered by the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government with South Lanarkshire Council a statutory consultee. A copy of the application documents can be downloaded below or via the Scottish Government Energy Consents website at www.energyconsents.scot under application reference ECU00005019. Details of how to access hard copies of the application documents are in the below press advert.
Any representations to the application may be submitted to Scottish Ministers; by email to representations@gov.scot; or by post to Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation.
Written or emailed representations should be dated, clearly stating the name (in block capitals) and full return email and postal address of those making representations. All representations should be received not later than the 15th of November 2024 although Scottish Ministers may consider representations received after this date.
Planning Documents
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3a
Volume 3b
Volume 4
Why is this project needed?
The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, which amends the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, sets targets to reduce Scotland’s emissions of all greenhouse gases to net zero by 2045 at the latest. Significant additional renewable energy capacity, over and above what is produced today, will be needed to facilitate the decarbonisation of transport and heating as Scotland transitions to net zero.
The wind farm element of the M74 West project alone will be sufficient to power approximately 170,021 homes* and will have a significant role in helping the Scottish and UK governments to meet their emissions reduction and net zero commitments. The BESS will also help balance electricity supply and demand on the National Grid.
In addition to its legally binding emissions reduction and net zero carbon targets, the Scottish Government has set a target of delivering a minimum of 20 GW of onshore wind and up to 6 GW of solar development by 2030. The wind and solar components of M74 West, which could have a combined installed capacity of approximately 245 MW, would make a substantial contribution towards reaching these targets.
* Calculated using RenewableUK’s methodology. Assumed capacity factor of 38.1% is taken from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ) CFD Terms and Regulations Document. Average household consumption of 3.239 kWh is from DESNZ’s latest statistics.
Frequently asked questions
Do you still have questions about the M74 West Renewable Energy Park?
You can now use a new AI based tool, called AssetChat, on our dedicated AssetFace page to find out more about the project. We’ve also drafted responses to some of the key questions and comments that have been raised through the public consultation on the S36 application. Click the below link to find out more:
Get in touch
We are interested in engaging with wind and solar asset owners, land-owners, developers and funders.