SSE has commenced earthworks for the Aberarder wind farm, a major renewable energy project in the Scottish Highlands. Located in Strathnairn near Inverness, the 50 MW wind farm will power 60,000 homes annually and displace 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in its first year of operation.
The project involves a £100 million investment by SSE and will feature 12 turbines supplied and installed by Vestas. The final investment decision was made in May 2024, with completion targeted for late 2026. In September 2023, Aberarder secured a 15-year contract in the UK’s fifth contract for a difference allocation round, ensuring a stable revenue stream.
Situated on a natural plateau averaging 700 meters above sea level, Aberarder is adjacent to the operational 94 MW Dunmaglass wind farm, jointly owned by SSE Renewables and Greencoat UK Wind.
Additionally, in July 2024, SSE Renewables formed a joint venture with Gilkes Energy to advance the Loch Fearna pumped storage hydro project in Scotland. This proposed scheme, among the largest in the UK, will feature an installed capacity of 1.8 GW and provide 37 GWh of energy storage capacity.