Development Framework for the Hagshaw Energy Cluster
In September 2019, NatureScot brought together a group of wind farm developers and operators with South Lanarkshire Council and East Ayrshire Council to discuss how they could collaborate on the future development of wind farms in the Hagshaw energy cluster. The cluster is located between the communities of Coalburn, Douglas and Muirkirk, to the west of the M74. NatureScot engaged with Historic Scotland, SEPA and Scottish Forestry and a range of consultants involved in the cluster and together scoped out the topics on which to collaborate.
The cluster has grown organically since the Hagshaw Hill wind farm was commissioned in 1995. There are now five wind farms in the cluster, producing over 380 MW of clean energy, with new wind farms and extensions in the planning process.
A further four projects have been consented, with the potential to add 200MW to the cluster. Hagshaw Hill has been through the development process to repower and was granted consent in February 2020. This means that the cluster contains wind farms at every stage in their life cycle from operational, consented, proposed and soon to be repowered, making it the ideal location to pilot a new approach.
Two years on,2021, the group were working together to produce a Development Framework for the cluster, with four key aims:
- Deliver a low carbon future for the communities in the area;
- Maximise the social, economic and environmental benefits of development within the cluster;
Maximise the renewable energy potential of the cluster,from a range of technologies such as solar,energy storage and green hydrogen production in addition to onshore wind;
- Minimise the impacts of development on the environment and communities.
Sources of Information
- THe Hagshaw Energy Cluster A Development Framework
- A Development Framework for the Hagshaw Energy Cluster
Development Framework for the Hagshaw Energy Cluster: Planning for Net Zero
.In Sept 2023, South Lanarkshire Council announced the development framework which has been adopted by both Planning Authorities (South Lanarkhire and East Ayrshire) as non-statutory guidance in relation to planning applications and will help shape future development in the area.
George Greenshields, Chair of the Douglas Valley Advisory Group, said: "The Development Framework provides a mechanism for ongoing discussions with landowners and windfarm operators, to try to bring jobs to the area and apprenticeships for young people in the renewables industry.
The idea of using a former opencast site for Adventure Tourism, creating job opportunities for local residents as well as opportunities for business start-ups has been formulating over a number of years so it is great to be able to progress that through DVAG."
Sources of Information
- The Hagshaw Energy Cluster A Development Framework
Page produced: 23 June 2022 DJH. Updated 20th September 2023.