New Cumnock: Breezy Hill wind farm plans near Dalmellington

The Breezy Hill Energy plan is the sister scheme of the North Kyle Energy Project, fronted up by Brockwell Energy.

Originally North Kyle was envisaged to be a 300MW site encompassing both the North Kyle and Breezy Hill boundaries.

However, only 212MW of grid capacity was available at the time of request to National Grid leading to North Kyle being developed separately, with up to 49 turbines at this site alone - and the UK's largest onshore wind farm project.

READ MORE: Plans for 'UK's largest wind turbines' near New Cumnock approved

READ MORE: The East Ayrshire projects set to share in £628,000 wind farm bonanza

READ MORE: First turbines of wind farm that will power almost 170,000 homes installed

In April 2022, following further discussions with National Grid, an additional 80MW of grid capacity became available with a 2028 connection date leading directly to the initiation of the Breezy Hill Energy project.

Although sharing a common border, North Kyle and Breezy Hill are separate projects and will be operated independently.

Breezy Hill Energy project is an 80MW wind scheme comprising up to 26 wind turbines with a maximum 149.9m tip height.

Because the generating capacity of the proposed operation is more than 50 megawatts, the overall power to grant permission will lie with the Scottish Government.

Brockwell is building up the nearby North Kyle wind farm (Image: Submitted) A public event was held in June this year and a follow-up consultation will take place at Rankinston Community Education Centre on Tuesday, December 10, from 12-7pm.

This will allow locals to view the plans and have their say on the proposals.

Information on the Brockwell Energy website regarding the Breezy Hill plans states: "Breezy Hill has committed to provide £400,000 annually to the 9CCG, a group representing the nine communities local to wind development in and around the Cumnock and Doon Valley Area.

"The group was formed to coordinate the distribution of community benefit funds allocated from newly consented and future wind farm developments.

"This commitment is index linked and will last for the full 40-year lifespan of the project."

The company adds that the plans could include a scheme that would see a visitor centre be built, as well as a café, toilets and showers, pedal and e-bike rentals, and access around the Coyle Water loch with beach, picnic and play areas, and water sports facilities for swimmers, canoeists and paddleboarders.

If approved, the site would begin operating at the end of 2028.

You can view the plans online.