Orkney Islands Council Awards £14 Million Wind Farm Contract to Heddle

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Orkney Islands Council has awarded the Balance of Plant (BoP) contract for the Orkney Community Wind Farm project to local company Heddle Construction. The contract covers the final design ahead of turbine installation as well as the construction of civil and electrical works, with the successful bidder determined through a competitive tender process.

The 28.8 MW wind farm project is located at the St Ola site between Kirkwall and Finstown, with plans to install six 149.1-metre turbines. The project has been in development since 2019 and received unanimous support from elected members in February 2025. The electricity generated by the wind farm will be exported via a new interconnector, providing much-needed revenue for the Council to protect and enhance existing public services.

On the project timeline, Nordex was announced as the turbine supplier in August 2025; in October 2025, the Council announced loan support from the National Wealth Fund, which covers the project costs. Heddle Construction was founded by Ian Heddle in 1972 and is now led by his son Derek, employing more than 20 staff at its Kirkwall base. The company started out building farm buildings and, over more than 50 years, has expanded its portfolio to include a range of specialist services, with its crane hire business undertaking projects across Orkney with a distinctive fleet of blue Liebherr machines. In recent years, the company has established a specialist position in the renewable energy sector, providing critical services to the wind and marine energy industries.

Derek Heddle, Managing Director of Heddle Construction, said that as a long-established local company with a strong track record in renewable energy, the company is delighted to secure the BoP contract for this landmark project, keeping the delivery work within the local team and setting a clear benchmark for future development. He looks forward to working with Orkney Islands Council to deliver a high-quality, locally led project and to continue investing in Orkney's workforce and skills.

Council Leader Heather Woodbridge said that awarding this significant contract to Heddle Construction, an established local company with a strong track record of delivering major infrastructure and renewable energy projects across Orkney, means the economic benefits of the project will stay within the local community and support local jobs, businesses and the supply chain throughout the construction phase. She noted that the Orkney Community Wind Farm is a major investment in Orkney's future, and in addition to generating renewable energy to help Scotland and the UK meet their net zero targets, it will provide a long-term income stream for the Council, helping to protect and enhance the public services that communities rely on. This contract award, along with the supplier engagement event held last month, demonstrates the Council's commitment to maximising opportunities for local businesses, ensuring the benefits of the wind farm are spread as widely as possible across Orkney.