Global clean energy enterprise TagEnergy has made its first UK investment in wind farms acquiring four mid-stage development projects in Scotland, totaling almost 300MW, as it builds an asset portfolio across clean energy generation and battery storage at a critical time in the country’s energy transition.

TagEnergy acquired 100% ownership of Cairnmore Hill, Glenburnie, Sclenteuch and Torfichen wind farms from independent renewable energy company RES, who will continue to provide some development services.

Already a leading Independent Power Producer (IPP) in the UK with an operating portfolio of 320MW across six grid-connected battery energy storage systems (BESS) locations, the wind farm projects take TagEnergy’s multi-technology pipeline to more than 1.5GW.

The investment in Scottish wind farms reflects the critical need for onshore wind generation to deliver the UK’s net zero strategy, including the Clean Power Action plan goal to double onshore wind capacity by 2030.

TagEnergy will bring significant onshore wind capabilities and global expertise to the projects to support national generation and emissions reduction targets, with its Golden Plains Wind Farm the biggest onshore wind farm under construction in the southern hemisphere and already Australia’s highest generating wind project.

Franck Woitiez, Chief Executive Officer, TagEnergy said, “This is a monumental step in TagEnergy’s UK journey as we become a true multi-technology IPP with generation and storage technologies to drive the country’s energy transition on more fronts simultaneously.”

“These wind farm acquisitions are a strategic investment – in technology, location and timing. Onshore wind is critical to delivering the UK’s clean energy future. It is one of the easiest and fastest technologies to build and deploy, and, along with solar, the cheapest form of electricity generation. And there is no better place in the UK for onshore wind than in Scotland,” Mr Woitiez said.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders, local communities and authorities to realise these vital projects and help meet national targets for emissions reduction through generating cleaner, cheaper, homegrown power faster,” he said.

Lucy Whitford, Managing Director for UK & Ireland at RES said, “Tag acquired its now operational Lakeside and Roaring Hill BESS projects from RES at development stage, with RES appointed as asset manager. We’re delighted to continue our relationship with TagEnergy and look forward to seeing these four wind farms come to life with our continued support.”

Consulting firms Alvarez & Marsal, Blake Clough and Natural Power, and law firm Watson Farley Williams, acted as advisors to TagEnergy on the acquisition.

TagEnergy’s four wind farm projects in Scotland representing a proposed combined 270MW are located at:

• Cairnmore Hill – near Thurso in Caithness;
• Torfichen – near Torfichen Hill in Midlothian;
• Sclenteuch – near Patna in East Ayrshire; and,
• Glenburnie – near Lauder in the Scottish Borders.