Railpen and GreenPower to develop 66MW Scottish onshore wind project

Railpen, the investment manager of the UK’s £34bn (€40.2bn) rail transport pension schemes, has partnered with Scottish independent renewable-energy business, GreenPower, to co-develop the 66MW Barachander onshore wind project in North Argyll, Scotland.

This latest investment extends the existing partnership between Railpen and GreenPower as co-owners of the 46MW operational Carraig Gheal wind farm. 

Situated close by, Barachander is the ‘sister’ project to the Carraig Gheal wind farm, and is currently at the pre-planning consultation stage with the intention to submit a planning application later this year, the partnership said. 

Railpen said its investment in the Barachander wind project demonstrates its commitment to providing “stable long-term returns for members, whilst having a positive impact on the environment”. With the addition of Barachander, Railpen will be supporting energy provision for the equivalent of over 250,000 homes across its renewable assets portfolio.

Tim Grimstone, investment manager at Railpen, said: “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with GreenPower. Barachander represents an attractive opportunity to participate in the development of a significant onshore wind project, adding to our existing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the UK.

“Railpen aims to provide long-term returns for our members whilst having a positive impact on the world in which they live. The government’s recent push to accelerate onshore and offshore wind development aligns perfectly with our goals, including our pledge to achieve net zero across our investment portfolio by 2050. Partnering with the team at GreenPower helps us to achieve these goals, while the Barachander project itself will also provide substantial social and economic benefits.”

Rob Forrest, GreenPower CEO, said: “Our partnership with Railpen is a very positive one, and it is brilliant that our own independent Scottish company and the country’s railway workers can combine our resources in this way, to not just create new green energy, but to make a difference to people locally and nationally.

“The Barachander Wind Farm is proposed in a good location for a relatively modest number of turbines with good energy yield. We are also creating the Argyll Hydrogen Hub in the region, and Barachander can play a part in this powerhouse for clean renewable energy in the north of Argyll.”

The Barachander development will be located in an upland area next to an existing hydroelectric scheme. Between nine and 11 wind turbines at up to 180m tall are planned.

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