The wind farm is located on a restored former open cast coal mine, was fully commissioned earlier this year and is able to produce enough green electricity to supply approximately 31,000 households.

Last month, Dalquhandy Wind Farm was sold to Greencoat UK Wind Plc. Global renewable energy company BayWa r.e. will provide asset management services for the wind farm.

During the construction phase, BayWa r.e. appointed local contractors to create a network of footpaths, which will provide recreational opportunities for the nearby communities of Douglas and Coalburn.

Dalquhandy Wind Farm generates £210,000 of community benefit per year, increasing with inflation. This fund is shared between the local communities of Coalburn and Douglas directly and the South Lanarkshire Council Renewable Energy Fund. Throughout the 25-year lifetime of the project this will amount to £5.25million.

Provost Cooper said: ”Like so many wind farms these days, not only do they provide clean energy, they are fantastic community assets.

“The communities of Douglas and Coalburn, and visitors from all over South Lanarkshire and beyond, will be able to make so much use of this wonderful site.

“Just as the wind farm will provide energy for many years to come, locals and visitors alike will benefit from what the site has to offer for generations to come.”

John Milligan, Managing Director at BayWa r.e. said: “It has always been important for us at BayWa r.e. to generate benefits for the environment, biodiversity and local communities through our projects delivering low cost, zero carbon energy. Dalquhandy Wind Farm is also the perfect example of how we can successfully transition former coal mining sites to a cleaner and greener future.”