Wind farm contract is just the start

Hamilton-based Raeburn Drilling has won the £880,000 contract to help Scottish firm Banks Renewables deliver Kype Muir and Middle Muir wind farms.

The family owned drilling and geotechnical firm will carry out detailed testing of the rocks and soil at both sites, to determine what is required for the foundations.

CEO Anne Baxter, said: “Through the contracts gained we have been able to take on apprentice drillers and it has also helped us create new graduate positions with the firm.

The appointment follows last year’s launch of the Connect2Renewables Charter, which saw Banks Renewables partner with South Lanarkshire Council, committing a minimum of £69 million to the local economy.

The Charter also prioritises local businesses in the supply chain and will support around 457 local unemployed people back into work, training or further education, during the construction and early operational life of the projects.

Kype Muir Wind Farm, just south of Strathaven, is a 26 turbine 104MW wind farm, while Middle Muir Wind Farm, north of Crawfordjohn, is a 51MW, 15-turbine project set to deliver the tallest onshore turbines on mainland UK.

Development director, Colin Anderson, said: “It is pleasing that we’ve been able to utilise the services of an expert local firm in Raeburn Drilling, who have been able to take on more staff as a result of the substantial contracts.”