Nadara will continue to work closely with local communities, businesses and residents in seeking to ensure that the socio-economic opportunities associated with the Proposed Development are maximised.

Economic impact

The Proposed Development will create an economic opportunity during construction, through the investment of an estimated £41.7 million in civil engineering and construction contracts. Opportunities will potentially benefit a wide range of businesses including construction trades, sub-contracting, suppliers, accommodation, security, site services and environmental services.

There will be ongoing economic opportunities during the operational lifetime of the Proposed Development, with an estimated annual spend of about £2.4 million. The main opportunities will include turbine and site maintenance and habitat management.

An assessment of the economic impacts of the Proposed Development estimated that the expenditure associated with development and construction activity could generate:

  • £3.2 million Gross Value Added (GVA) and support 35 job years1 in Argyll and Bute
  • £9.4 million GVA and 116 job years across Scotland.

The expenditure required for the operation and maintenance of the Proposed Development could generate:

  • £0.4 million GVA and support 3 jobs in Argyll and Bute annually
  • £1.2 million GVA and 9 jobs across Scotland annually.

Further benefits from the repowering of Beinn Ghlas will include the payment of approximately £621,200 per annum in non-domestic rates to Argyll and Bute Council2.

Nadara is committed to maximising the use of local contractors

To ensure this happens, Nadara is committed to supporting the local community and working with local contractors whenever the project requirements and conditions allow. As part of this, in the future Nadara will hold a contractors open day/meet the buyer event.

Development phase

During the project’s development, there will be a requirement for surveys and site visits which provides opportunities for environmental companies, accommodation providers and local shops.

Construction phase

The construction period is anticipated to last approximately two years and is the phase of the development where supply chain decisions have the largest potential to influence the economic benefits from the project.

Significant investment will be required in areas such as construction and civil engineering works to deliver road works and foundations work; inspection and testing; plant hire; turbine land transport; and, turbine assembly services associated with works at the site (for example site security, skip or cabin hire, cleaning services).

Finally, the grid connection of the wind farm may present opportunities for local contractors through the engineering services required for grid connection.

Nadara’s commitment to sustainable decommissioning

In partnership with Reblade, Nadara has developed a decommissioning strategy that provides a detailed outline designed to inform the sustainable repowering of the operational Beinn Ghlas Wind Farm.

The strategy focuses on achieving maximum reuse, recirculation and recyclability of all of the wind farms components and materials, and marks a milestone in Nadara’s commitment to environmental stewardship and circular economy principles.

Further to setting a new standard for sustainable wind farm decommissioning, the repowering of Beinn Ghlas has the potential to positively impact the region of Argyll and Bute through strengthening existing supply chains and creating new business opportunities.

Examples of local businesses that could benefit, include those already working in the renewables sector, as well as others wishing to secure new work such as:

  • Craneage
  • Consumables
  • Groundworks & civils contractors
  • Scrap metal
  • Site services
  • Plant supply
  • Storage
  • Accommodation, catering and fuel
  • Technical engineering services
  • Material solutions.

Business, employment and investment

Nadara would like to hear from businesses locally and more widely across Scotland to ensure that it can fully consider the skills and services of local people and suppliers. The opportunities may include (but will not be limited to):

  • Engineering, procurement, and construction contractors
  • Construction material suppliers: concrete, aggregate and building materials
  • Electrical contractors: supply and installation of plant, cabling, earthing, etc.
  • Plant and equipment hire contractors: excavation earthworks, craneage, welfare units, etc.
  • Labour hire companies: engineers, plant operatives and general labourers
  • Transport: taxis and minibuses for local labourers.

Supplier Registration form

Please complete the Supplier Registration form on the project website (www.beinnghlasrepowering.co.uk/suppliers-registration) if you would like to be kept informed about any opportunities during the development, construction and operational phases of the repowered Beinn Ghlas Wind Farm or the decommissioning phase of the existing wind farm.

[1] A job year is one year of work for one person.

[2] Non-Domestic Rates or Business rates are a property based tax. Rates are charged on all business properties. The proceeds of the Non-Domestic Rate are paid into a national pool administered by the Scottish Government for redistribution to local authorities in Scotland.