Irish energy firm ESB has partnered with EDF Renewables UK to deliver Stornoway wind farm on the Western Isles.

ESB will take over the 50:50 joint venture share from Wood in this Lewis Wind Power partnership. EDF Renewables and ESB are already joint partners in the development of the 450MW Neart Na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, located in the Firth of Forth and due to be completed in 2024.

This partnership has confirmed Lewis Wind Power's commitment to delivering the Stornoway wind farm and helping the country meet its net zero targets.

In 2022, Stornoway wind farm was granted planning permission for a 36-turbine wind farm with a capacity of up to 200MW. The project would generate enough low carbon electricity to power approximately 115,000 homes.

Lewis Wind Power has worked closely with Stornoway Trust and the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar since 2003.

Once the wind farm is fully operational, almost £1 million will be available annually through a dedicated Community Benefit Fund set up by Lewis Wind Power.

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Bird surveys will begin to be carried out over the next 12 to 24 months as Lewis Wind Power progresses towards preparing the site for construction.

Darren Cuming, Head of Onshore Development for EDF Renewables, commented: "We are delighted to welcome ESB onboard as our new joint venture partners to Lewis Wind Power. We work with them on other projects, including Neart na Gaoithe, our offshore wind farm, currently under construction in the Firth of Forth. We are fully committed to developing Stornoway wind farm and bringing significant benefits to the local economy and the communities on the island.

"This project has been ongoing for some time, and we are pressing ahead with development. The local community will start to see activity ramping up over the next few years as we progress to the construction phase of the wind farm. We continue to work with the council and with Stornoway Trust to build the wind farm and bring the associated benefits to the local economy."

David Farrell, Head of Onshore Development at ESB, said: "We are delighted to announce our decision to join EDF Renewables as a partner in Lewis Wind Power. ESB has an ambition to become a Net Zero generator across UK and Ireland by 2040, and is committed to sustainable development that respects the local environment and communities. A key influence in our decision to partner with EDF on this project is our companies’ shared values and the local communities support for this wind farm development. Scotland is very progressive in its policies to address climate change and ESB is delighted to continue to invest in renewable energy in Scotland through this acquisition."