Historic Burgar Hill
Burgar Hill in Orkney, Scotland, holds a significant place in the history of wind power development, both in the UK and globally. The site has been at the forefront of wind energy research and innovation since the 1980s.
Early developments - 1980s
Burgar Hill was established as a test site for wind energy technologies in the early 1980s. The windy climate of Orkney made it an ideal location for studying wind turbine performance under challenging conditions. The site was part of a broader effort to explore renewable energy solutions in response to the energy crises of the 1970s.
One of the most notable installations at Burgar Hill during this period was the 3MW experimental wind turbine. At the time of its commissioning, this was one of the largest wind turbines in the world, featuring advanced design elements including variable pitch blades to cope with high wind speeds. Smaller designs were also installed to study different blade designs and generator systems.
Transition to modern day: 1990s
By the early 1990s, the focus at Burgar Hill shifted from experimental research to more commercial wind energy production. Advances in turbine technology and growing interest in renewable energy led to the development of a modern wind farm on the site.
In the late 1990s, Burgar Hill became home to several modern wind turbines, marking a transition from experimental to operational wind energy projects. These turbines, while smaller than the pioneering 3MW unit, were representative of the growing wind energy industry.
Early 2000s
There are currently 6 turbines operating on Burgar Hill, of varying makes and models, including Nordex, NEG Micon and Enercon machines.
Total capacity generated on the hill is approximately 12.5MW. The turbines currently age between 16 - 25 years old. Given the windy site climate, these turbines have had a very productive life.
