Monday November 9th 2026
The turbines are proposed for the hills across the Midlothian and Scottish Borders boundary
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Plans to re-power a wind farm with turbines as tall as skyscrapers are being put forward by operators.
Bowbeat wind farm was considered one of Scotland’s most powerful when it opened in 2003 with 24 turbines which rise to 80 metres at their highest tip.
Now plans to re-power it when it comes to its end of life at the end of this decade include installing nine turbines which a tip height of up to 230 metres – the height of St Paul’s Cathedral or the Heron Tower in London.
While most of the wind farm is across the boundary between Midlothian and the Scottish Borders one is in the Moorfoot Hills.
A pre application notice has been agreed by Midlothian planners for the proposed re-power which also includes the formation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
A similar notice has also been lodged with planners in the Scottish Borders where the majority of the wind farm is based.
Public exhibitions of the plans are being held this week in Peebles and Eddleston with further consultations proposed for March next year.
Bowbeat was described as a challenging construction taking a year to complete when it initially opened.
The tough terrain of the hills saw several kilometres of reinforced forest track required to allow access for the construction up its steep slopes and it generates enough energy to supply around 16,000 homes.
Full details of the public consultations and proposals are available on Midlothian Council’s planning portal.
Tweet Share on Facebook
