Broken Cross Wind Farm
A project of BayWa r.e. UK Limited
About the Project
In 2021, BayWa r.e. UK acquired the consented Broken Cross Wind Farm near Douglas Water and Rigside. The project is located on a 274-hectare restored former opencast coal site to the east of the M74.
The project completed construction and became operational in Q2 2024. Broken Cross Wind Farm was sold to ERG who own the SPV in its entirety.
Originally designed with 10-turbines having a maximum output of 48 MW and an operational lifespan of 25 years, the construction process revealed that Turbine 8 (T8) could not be placed at the chosen location due to geotechnical constraints. Construction was completed as a 9-turbine development.
Broken Cross Wind Farm has an installed capacity of 43.2 MW, providing power for approximately 36,900 homes annually*. Other infrastructure includes a substation, control building and new onsite tracks.
To address these changes a Section 42 Application was submitted to South Lanarkshire Council. This application seeks approval to relocate T8 within the existing site boundary, enabling development of a 10-turbine project. The application also proposes to extend the operational lifetime from 25 to 30 years. The section 42 application and its approval is the responsibility of ERG.
Relocation of Turbine 8 (T8)
The planning application was submitted to South Lanarkshire Council to relocate Turbine 8 to an alternative site within the Broken Cross Wind Farm boundary. Representations on the application can be made here, quoting the application reference P/23/1532.
An image showing the original and revised layout can be seen below.
The application also seeks to extend the permitted lifespan of the wind farm from 25 to 30 years.
These proposed changes, through enabling a 10 turbine site, would provide an additional £24,000 in community benefit, increasing the current community benefit of £216,000 to £240,000 annually. The extension to the permitted lifespan will also mean the community benefit will be available for an additional 5 years. A 10 turbine site would increase the total community benefit contribution from £5.2 million to £7.2 million over the operational lifetime of the project.
The application of the Section 42 was granted by South Lanarkshire Planning Committee in spring 2024, subject to an updated Section 75 being agreed. ERG are responsible for managing this process with South Lanarkshire Council and the construction of T8 should the application be granted.
All planning documents can be viewed here.
Indicative project timeline
More about the wind farm
Key Facts
Consented in April 2021
9 x Nordex N133 turbines
Installed capacity up to 43.2 MW
Height of turbines to tip 149.9 m
Generates enough electricity to supply around 36,900 homes annually*
Over £5.4 million of community funds over the 25 year life of wind farm
Habitat management plan to improve local environment
Ecology
The Broken Cross Wind Farm site was formerly an open cast coal mine. Restoration of the site led to the creation of new habitats, primarily open grassland, suitable for grazing, small ponds and a wetland area. These habitats now serve as vital spaces for a variety of waders and other birds, as well as wetland plants and invertebrates.
Throughout the construction of the Broken Cross Wind Farm, priority was given to preserving the most valuable areas, and new ponds were added to further enhance the environment for waders. A bespoke habitat management plan aims to improve conditions for waders by overseeing the maintenance of wet grassland habitats and reinstating an area of wet heath and mire, which is currently under a conifer plantation.
Community Benefit
Broken Cross Wind Farm provides an annual benefits package of £5,000 per installed megawatt. Based on a 9 turbine design, this equates to around £216,000 per year indexed linked to be shared between the communities of Coalburn, Lesmahagow, Douglas Water and Rigside. This will amount to over £5.4 million over the 25 year operational life of the development.
Further details about the fund and how to apply will be confirmed at a later date.
Energy and Climate Change
Broken Cross Wind Farm has the potential to supply 36,900 with clean, green electricity and will make a significant contribution to South Lanarkshire Council's and the Scottish Government’s renewable energy targets by supporting climate change goals and the transition to a net zero future.