EDF Energy Renewables has officially opened its Rhodders wind farm, north of Tillicoultry in the Ochil Hills. 

The new six turbine development joins the established and adjoining Burnfoot Hill and Burnfoot North wind farm sites also operated by EDF Energy Renewables, taking the combined generation of the site to 42MW – enough electricity to supply the average annual needs of all the homes in Clackmannanshire. 

The formal opening was marked by confirmation that the expanded wind farm operations will make additional financial support available to a range of local community initiatives.

As a result, the Burnfoot Hill community benefit fund, administered by Foundation Scotland, will this year rise to £89,000 and there will be ongoing support for Enabling Projects in Clackmannanshire and the Ochils Mountain Rescue team.

Already, the Burnfoot Hill Wind Farm Recreational Enhancement Fund established by EDF Energy Renewables has contributed over £1 million to the Ochils Partnership.

Matthieu Hue, chief executive of EDF Energy Renewables, said: "Rhodders wind farm is the latest addition to EDF Energy Renewables’ growing portfolio of operational wind farms which is now close to reaching 600 MW of installed capacity.

"This development extends the capacity of our existing Burnfoot wind farms. We are proud to be a strong partner for the local economy, delighted to expand our support to the communities, and look forward to continuing our development of renewable generation assets, especially here in Scotland."

EDF Energy Renewables operates five wind farm sites in Scotland with a combined generating capacity of 250MW, supplying the annual needs of around 145,000 households. 

In addition, the company also has around 250 MW of new schemes currently under construction that will nearly double its current generation capacity in the country. 

Nick Bradford, head of asset management, EDF Energy Renewables said: "Rhodders is another important building block in EDF Energy Renewables’ contribution to the UK’s and Scotland’s low carbon economy which we are expanding all the time. 

"We want to be part of the community around the wind farm and hope the benefit fund and other support will make a real difference to local neighbourhoods."