Kimpton helps harness Scottish natural resource

Europe's largest onshore windfarm has overcome local authority noise level regulations thanks to the installation of a set of acoustic enclosures from Kimpton Acoustics.

Located just south of Glasgow, Whitlee Windfarm's 140 turbines cover an area of around 5,500 hectares and are capable of producing 322 megawatts of electricity, equivalent to 2% of Scotland's electricity needs or roughly sufficient energy to power the whole of Glasgow.

The huge transformers required for a scheme of this scale are extremely noisy and, with the nearest sensitive premises located a mere 300m away, Scottish Power needed to find a way of keeping noise levels within regulation limits.

Kimpton Acoustics' Manager, Bob Jones explained, "We undertook the design, manufacture and installation of a set of acoustic enclosures that would ensure the noise from the transformers did not exceed the regulations.

The sound power level from each transformer when operating with enclosure fitted is guaranteed not to exceed 76 decibels.

"Maintaining the specified noise level is essential, both for regulatory reasons and to ensure that positive public perceptions of this important form of renewable energy help secure its long term future.

As the UK's power industry continues to invest in windfarms as part of a renewables strategy aimed at tackling global warming, acoustic enclosures will become increasingly important in terms of both planning and public acceptance.".

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