ORIT Launches 50 MW Wind Farm in Scotland for Kimberly Clark

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust, an investment company focused on providing investors with a sustainable level of income returns, with an element of capital growth, by investing in a diversified portfolio of renewable energy assets across Europe, the UK and Australia, has launched a new 50 MW onshore wind farm located in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

The project is valued at £75m and has entered into a PPA with Kleenex-owner Kimberly Clark. The Cumberhead facility boasts 12 turbines and will provide the firm with close to 160,000 MWh of renewable energy annually. The wind power provided to the US-based brand’s manufacturing facilities across the UK will be responsible for nearly 80% of the electricity needs for its Barrow, Flint and Northfleet units.

Dan Howell, Vice President and Managing Director at Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland, said, “Energy transformation is a key priority for us if we are going to deliver on our ambition to be using 100% renewable energy by 2030 in the UK and Ireland.” He added, “When people ask what ‘fully decarbonising our operations’ looks like in practice, showing them a brand new 12-turbine wind farm is a pretty powerful answer.”

David Bird, Investment Director for Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust (ORIT) said, “Officially inaugurating this wind farm is an absolutely fantastic milestone. Onshore wind farms like these are generating much-needed clean green power for the UK. It’s brilliant to be supplying this renewable power from this wind farm to Kimberly-Clark to help decarbonise their business.” He concluded, “The more businesses that follow their lead, the quicker we can accelerate the push to net zero.”

Earlier, specialist renewables manager Octopus Investments Australia made the acquisition for a 175 MW solar project with battery storage component in Queensland. This will be an addition to the existing wind farm and will pave the way for the largest multi-technology renewable energy hub in the state.