SmartestEnergy has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) backed by a Contract for Difference (CfD) with Thrive Renewables. The agreement covers the Whitelaw Brae onshore wind farm in the Scottish Borders, which has 14 turbines and a capacity of 57 MW. According to SmartestEnergy, it is Thrive Renewables' largest onshore wind project to date. The project was awarded its CfD in Allocation Round 7.

A joint-venture owner and a supplier chosen for its experience

SmartestEnergy says its experience managing transmission-connected assets, its competitive commercial offering and its ability to manage market risk were factors in securing the agreement. The wind farm is owned by Fair Play Clean Energy Limited, a joint venture between Thrive Renewables and TopCashback Group Ltd. In the same segment, recent news includes Enova's support for BW Offshore's floating wind joint venture, the assessment that China is set to become the European Union's top wind turbine supplier, and the rise of US wind turbine orders to 2.8 GW in the second quarter.

Whitelaw Brae is Thrive Renewables' first transmission-connected asset. The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two companies. Located near Tweedsmuir, the wind farm is expected to generate up to 149,400 MWh of renewable electricity annually, enough to power around 45,000 UK homes, and to deliver 63,000 tonnes of emissions reductions.

Energisation expected before the end of 2026

Final construction activities are underway. Energisation is scheduled to begin before the end of 2026. Once operational, the wind farm is expected to generate renewable electricity for at least 30 years.

Will Russell, PPA development manager at SmartestEnergy, says that "given its size and scale," Whitelaw Brae is an important project for SmartestEnergy and Thrive Renewables, but also for Scotland's renewable energy sector. He adds that Thrive Renewables was looking for an experienced partner with the flexibility and technical expertise to support its route-to-market requirements, as the project is its first transmission-connected asset.

Community and environmental commitments

Monika Paplaczyk, investment director at Thrive Renewables, says the company is "delighted" with how seamless the process has been with SmartestEnergy. She indicates that Whitelaw Brae supports the company's five-year goal of doubling the generation capacity of its portfolio by 2028. She adds that the project is also intended to benefit the local community and enhance nature on site.

The development includes a community benefit fund paid annually. Thrive Renewables has committed to offering local residents an opportunity to purchase a stake in the wind farm. Biodiversity measures include native tree planting and a new network of footpaths forming part of the River Tweed Trail.