UK: 63 MW Scottish wind farm to use low-emission steel in UK onshore first

• Vattenfall orders 14 x 4.5MW turbines from Vestas for Clashindarroch II Onshore Wind Farm
• All the turbine towers will be manufactured using low-emission steel(4)
• Vattenfall has committed to reduce supplier carbon footprints by 50 per cent by 2030(1)

Vattenfall has signed an order with Vestas for turbines for the 63MW Clashindarroch II Wind Farm project near Huntly, Scotland. The order includes the supply, installation, and commissioning of 14 Vestas V136 4.5 MW wind turbines, along with a 30-year service agreement.

In line with Vattenfall’s commitment to reduce 50% emissions from supply chain goods & services by 2030, this project will be the first onshore wind farm for both Vattenfall and Vestas where parts of the towers for Clashindarroch II will be made with low-emission steel, leading to a 36 percent reduction in the towers’ overall carbon footprint. The low-emission steel is fabricated using 100 percent steel scrap melted in an electric arc furnace powered by 100 percent wind energy, at the ArcelorMittal steel mill at Industeel Charleroi, in Belgium.(4)  Steel production accounts for around 8% of global emissions(5), and as the primary material in a wind turbine, it contributes nearly half of the emissions associated with manufacturing.

Stuart Matthews, Vattenfall’s Senior Project Manager for Clashindarroch II Wind Farm said:

'We’re delighted to have secured a turbine contract with Vestas, whose use of steel with a verified lower carbon intensity represents an important step in reducing embodied carbon in wind turbine components. By integrating this material into our supply chain, we’re lowering the embodied carbon of the turbine towers and contributing to reduced lifecycle emissions for the project. 

'As we move into the construction phase, and later into operations, we remain focused on creating local value across the project lifecycle. We look forward to working closely with Vestas to ensure this same ambition flows through our supply chain, in full alignment with the principles and commitments of the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal.'

Anna Schlasberg Wachtmeister, Vestas Vice President, Sales North said:

'Vestas is proud to partner with Vattenfall on our first onshore wind project using low-emission steel towers. By continuously reducing environmental and social impacts, while maximising the value of wind energy, we aim to raise the bar for the entire wind industry. Partnerships like this are essential to accelerating the energy transition and reduce environmental impacts across the value chain, while supporting energy security and long-term cost efficiency wind energy.' 

Facts and figures about Clashindarroch II 

• 14 x 4.5MW Wind Turbines
• Capacity: 63MW  
• Equivalent UK households powered: around 61,566 annually(2)
• Predicted to offset around 90,844 tonnes of CO2 every year(3)
• Preparatory works commenced Autumn 2025
• Main construction works expected to start Spring 2026
• First power expected Summer 2027
• Clashindarroch II wind farm will provide around £315,000 per annum in community benefit funding to the local community.
• The operational Clashindarroch Wind Farm has provided more than £2million in funding to the local area in its first ten years of operation.

Further information about Clashindarroch II Wind Farm can be found here.

1. Vattenfall named a leader for supplier demands on climate actions - Vattenfall
2. Calculated according to Renewable UK ‘Homes powered equivalent’ methodology.  
3. Calculated according to https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed\methodology.
4. According to Environmental Product Declarations and an internal comparison carried out by Vestas, the use of low-emission steel is estimated to reduce the carbon intensity of the turbine towers by around 36% compared with conventional steel. Environmental product declarations.
5. Steel production accounts for around 8% of global emissions.

Original announcement link

Source: Vattenfall