Dublin and Edinburgh, 2 September 2026
ESB has reached Final Investment Decision (FID) and completed execution of the principal construction contracts for the 96MW Chleansaid Wind Farm, located near Lairg in the Scottish Highlands.
This milestone marks the commencement of delivery of one of ESB's most strategically important renewable energy projects and represents the first ESB-developed onshore wind project in Scotland.
Chleansaid Wind Farm is a 100% ESB-owned project and will comprise 16 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 96MW. The project secured planning consent in 2023 and successfully obtained a 15-year Contract for Difference (CfD), providing a long-term route to market for renewable electricity generation.
Paul Lennon, Head of Renewables, ESB, said:
"Reaching Final Investment Decision for Chleansaid is a major milestone for ESB and a significant step in the delivery of our renewable energy ambitions across Scotland and the UK. As our first wholly developed onshore wind project in Scotland, Chleansaid demonstrates our long-term commitment to investing in clean, secure and home-grown energy.
"Working alongside our partners GE Vernova, Kirby Group and Farrans, we are proud to move into the construction phase of a project that will deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits for the Highlands and help accelerate the transition to a net zero future."
Stephen Gethins, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy, Scottish government, said:
"This decision is a significant vote of confidence in Scotland as a place to invest in renewable energy. This reflects our desire for the energy transition to be reaching and benefitting communities across Scotland.
"Reaching Final Investment Decision marks the point at which a project moves from development into delivery, and projects like Chleansaid will play an important role in supporting economic growth, energy security and Scotland's transition to net zero including in the Highlands and elsewhere. I congratulate ESB and its partners on reaching this important milestone."
Construction is expected to commence later this year, with the project targeted to achieve commercial operation in 2028.
The project has been developed entirely by ESB's in-house team and is a flagship development within ESB's broader onshore wind portfolio.
Chleansaid is the first project to advance into construction from ESB's current pipeline of approximately 2GW of onshore wind opportunities under development across Scotland and Wales as we continue to grow our renewable energy portfolio.
As part of the project delivery strategy, ESB has partnered with leading international industry contractors:
- GE Vernova will provide the wind turbine generators and long-term service support.
- Kirby Group will deliver the Electrical Balance of Plant (EBoP).
- Farrans Construction will deliver the Civil Balance of Plant (CBoP).