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Orkney Islands to Host UK's Largest Public Windfarm, Boosting Local Services
21 Oct
Summary
- Orkney Council wins £62M to build up to 18 wind turbines
- Profits from the windfarm will fund local services on the islands
- Construction of the first phase to begin in 2027
In a significant development for the Orkney Islands, the local council has secured £62 million in financing from the UK's national wealth fund to build what is expected to become the country's largest publicly owned windfarm. As of October 2025, the council plans to construct up to 18 wind turbines across three islands, with the first phase of six 150-meter-high turbines near the main town of Kirkwall set to begin construction in 2027.
The unique aspect of this project is that all the profits generated by the windfarm will be reinvested into local services, benefiting the entire Orkney community. The turbines are projected to bring in around £3.3 million annually to support council spending from 2028 onward, amounting to approximately £120 million over the project's lifetime.
This community-focused approach has been crucial in garnering public support for the initiative, in contrast to the criticism often directed at large wind power projects in rural areas where the profits flow to private companies and investors. Orkney is known for its strong cultural affinity with renewable energy, being home to a leading wave and tidal power research center and having one of the highest rates of electric vehicle ownership in the UK.
