SSE submits application to vary consent for Tangy Repower project

– Proposals build on success of existing wind farm over two decades –  

– Tangy Repower could deliver cleaner, affordable and secure homegrown energy for Scotland –  
 

SSE has submitted a Section 36 Consent Variation Application to the Scottish Government to make changes to the existing consent for its Tangy Wind Farm Repower project. 

Located approximately 9 km northwest of Campbeltown on the west coast of the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, the existing 22-turbine, 18.7MW Tangy Wind Farm opened in 2003 but is now approaching the end of its operational life. 

In 2019, SSE Renewables was granted consent by Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit to repower the existing site with a new 16 turbine wind farm as well as new associated energy infrastructure. However, since that consent was granted, rising supply chain costs as well as the discontinuation by manufacturers of the original replacement turbine type mean the project can no longer be delivered as originally approved.  

As a result, SSE Renewables has now submitted proposals to vary the existing 2019 consent to allow for a new 96MW wind farm at the Tangy Repower site. This increased capacity would be achieved using new and more efficient turbines with tip heights of up to 200 metres, alongside some minor refinements to the site layout. 

The consent application follows a comprehensive programme of local engagement which the Tangy Repower project team has undertaken with statutory stakeholders, community councils and local residents. This has included public exhibitions held in August 2025 and March 2026 across South Kintyre. 

If approved for delivery, the Tangy Wind Farm Repower project would play a crucial role in driving progress towards a cleaner, more affordable and more secure homegrown energy system for Scotland and the UK. 

Additionally, the project’s delivery would be expected to bring significant long-term economic, environmental and social value to Argyll and Bute during both construction and operation.  

In addition to the significant employment and supply chain opportunity for local contractors and service providers associated with construction of the wind farm, independent research conducted for SSE by BiGGAR Economics and submitted as part of the consent variation application has determined Tangy Repower would deliver a multi-million-pound economic benefit both to Scotland and to Argyll and Bute.  

During the wind farm’s operational lifetime, it’s estimated Tangy Repower could deliver an overall gross value added (GVA) economic benefit to Scotland of around £4.3 million supporting 44 jobs across the country, with £1.3 million in GVA retained in Argyll and Bute, supporting 12 jobs locally. 

Should the Tangy Repower project be consented and delivered, SSE would establish a Community Benefit Fund with an annual value of up to £480,000 to be shared among local groups and projects. This fund would build on the over £300,000 that SSE has already provided from the existing Tangy Wind Farm to community groups in the region over the past 23 years. This has included support to the Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy) to support a range of projects in affordable warmth, alleviation of fuel poverty, education and skills development as well as its affordable warmth advice service.    

Final delivery of the Tangy Repower project would be subject to SSE securing planning consent for the wind farm as well as a separate consent for a new grid connection route, a commercial route to market, and a final investment decision. 

Ian Stewart, Tangy Repower Project Manager at SSE Renewables, said:

“Tangy Repower is an opportunity to build on the success of the existing wind farm which has operated here at this site for over two decades and to significantly increase the amount of renewable electricity generated at the site. 

“We are grateful to the many members of the community who participated in our consultation process, and the feedback we received has helped shape this application. 

“If consented, the project could also deliver significant socio-economic benefits, including a community benefit fund of up to £480,000 annually, supporting local priorities and community-led projects across the area.” 

Viewing of Planning Documents 

The consent variation application documents can be viewed on the application website at or at www.energyconsents.scot (ECU application reference number: ECU00006203) as well as at www.sserenewables.com/tangy-repower.  

A summary of the variation application, a copy of the variation application, a copy of the original section 36 consent and decision letter including the direction under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 which stated that planning permission was deemed to be granted, and the EIA report prepared in relation to the proposed varied development (“the variation application documents”) are also available for public inspection in person, free of charge, during normal office hours at: 

Copies of the variation application documents may be obtained from SSE Generation Limited, FAO Onshore Development Team, 1 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6AY or OWSBSupport@sse.com at a charge of £1500 hard copy and £15 on USB storage device. Copies of a short Non-Technical Summary are available free of charge. 

Any representations on the variation application may be submitted via www.energyconsents.scot, using the relevant Project Name and/or ECU application reference number: ECU00006203. Please note you must be in possession of a working email address to submit a representation virtually. 

Submission of representations by post can be sent to: Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation. Written representations should be dated, clearly stating the name (in block capitals) and full postal address of those making representations.  

All representations should be received not later than Monday 24 August 2026, although Ministers may consider representations received after this date.