ESB has reached final investment decision on the 96 MW Chleansaid Wind Farm near Lairg in the Scottish Highlands and signed the principal construction contracts. The project is the first onshore wind farm in Scotland to be developed entirely by ESB’s own team, moving from planning into delivery after securing consent in 2023.
Chleansaid will comprise 16 turbines and is wholly owned by ESB. A 15-year Contract for Difference provides a route to market for its electricity. Construction is expected to start later in 2026, with commercial operation targeted for 2028. The contract-backed project is the first to advance into construction from ESB’s pipeline of approximately 2 GW of onshore wind opportunities under development across Scotland and Wales.
The company has divided the main delivery packages among three contractors. GE Vernova will supply the wind turbine generators and provide long-term service support. Kirby Group will deliver the electrical balance of plant, while Farrans Construction will handle the civil balance of plant. This allocation covers the turbines, their electrical connections and the civil works needed to bring the site into operation.
The final investment decision and executed contracts give the project a defined construction path, although delivery will still depend on the usual sequencing of site preparation, turbine installation, electrical work and commissioning. ESB describes Chleansaid as a significant addition to its renewable portfolio in Britain and a milestone for its Scottish development programme. Its scale also makes the wind farm a substantial new source of domestic renewable generation in the Highlands once it reaches commercial operation.
