Lower-carbon foundations completed at Clashindarroch II wind farm

Vattenfall has completed all 14 turbine foundations at its 63MW Clashindarroch II Wind Farm in Aberdeenshire, a major construction milestone delivered in 11 weeks.  
 
The foundations used 11,256m³ of lower-carbon concrete and approximately 1,190 tonnes of recycled reinforcing steel — equivalent to the weight of 826 cars⁶. Reusing steel reduces demand for newly produced material.  
 
The concrete contains a cement blend with at least 25% pulverised fuel ash, replacing part of the conventional Portland cement. As Portland cement is the most carbon-intensive component, the blend is expected to reduce embodied carbon by around 20–30% per cubic metre⁵. Concrete was produced at a temporary on-site batching facility, reducing long-distance deliveries and the associated fuel use, traffic movements and emissions⁴.  
 
The first foundation was poured on 30 June 2026. Around 85 tonnes of reinforcing steel was used in each foundation. Construction will now move to the next phase, with first power expected in summer 2027.  
 
Once operational, the 14-turbine wind farm is expected to have an installed capacity of 63MW³ and generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of around 61,500 UK homes annually¹.  

Stuart Matthews, Vattenfall’s Senior Project Manager for Clashindarroch II Wind Farm, said:  

“Completing all 14 foundations is an important construction milestone for Clashindarroch II — and how we delivered it matters.  
 
“Lower-carbon concrete, recycled reinforcing steel and on-site concrete production have helped us reduce embodied carbon and transport emissions during this phase.  
 
“With the foundations complete, we can move into the next phase and continue towards first power in summer 2027.”  

Notes to editors

• Clashindarroch II Wind Farm  
• 14 turbines x 4.5MW wind turbines  
• 63MW capacity  
• Equivalent UK households powered: around 61,566 annually²  
• Predicted to offset around 90,844 tonnes of CO2 every year³
• Preparatory works commenced Autumn 2025  
• First foundation poured: 30 June 2026
• Foundation programme duration: 11 weeks 
• Main foundation concrete: 10,136m³ 
• Ducting and blinding concrete: approximately 1,120m³ 
• Total concrete used: 11,256m³ 
• Reinforcing steel: 1,190 tonnes 
• Around 85 tonnes of reinforcing steel per foundation
• Parts of turbine towers also expected to use lower carbon steel³ 
• Expected first power Summer 2027 
• Community benefit funding of around £315,000 per year 
• Find out more about Clashindarroch II wind farm here.  

1. Calculated according to RenewableUK ‘Homes Powered Equivalent’ methodology.   
2. Calculated using RenewableUK emissions displacement methodology.   
3. 63 MW Scottish wind farm to use low-emission steel in UK onshore first - Vattenfall  
4. A batching plant is a temporary, on-site facility used to mix cement. By producing cement close to where it is poured, the plant significantly reduces the need for long-distance deliveries by road, cutting fuel use, traffic movements and associated emissions.  
5. The concrete incorporates a cement blend containing at least 25% pulverised fuel ash (PFA), replacing a proportion of Portland cement. As Portland cement is typically the most carbon-intensive constituent of concrete, the use of PFA as a supplementary cementitious material can reduce embodied carbon by approximately 20-30%, depending on the final mix design and replacement level (The Concrete Centre, 2020; Circular Ecology, 2026). 
6. Estimated weight of average car = 1440kg/1.44 tonnes. 1190/1.44 = 826.38.  
   1190 tonnes recycled steel content in foundations equivalent to weight of 826 cars.