Welcome to our website for the Longmuir Renewable Energy and Biodiversity Project.

Galileo Empower is developing proposals for a renewable energy and biodiversity enhancement project on land approximately 4.5km north of the village of Stow in the Scottish Borders.

We believe this location has strong potential for a project that contributes meaningfully to Scotland’s renewable energy and climate change targets, enhances local biodiversity, and delivers significant benefits to the community.

Our initial proposals are for:

  • Up to 9 turbines with individual ratings of 7.2MW, resulting in a total capacity of 65MW
  • Co-location of solar photovoltaics, of up to 40MW
  • A battery energy storage system of up to 40MW, which would support the balancing and decarbonisation of the electricity system
  • Specific land enhancements to increase biodiversity in the immediate area.

These proposals would provide an annual community benefit fund of £325,000 for the surrounding area. We will also prioritise the local supply chain and the creation of local jobs.

As the total generation capacity of the Wind Farm will exceed 50 Megawatts (MW), a consent application for the Project would be made to the Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 (the Applicant would also seek deemed planning permission under Section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997).

 

Latest Consultation Events

Since holding our first round of formal consultation in April 2025, we have been reviewing the comments received and further refining our proposals, informed by stakeholder feedback and the findings of ongoing site survey work.

We then undertook our second round of consultation events: 

Tuesday 17 March

12pm – 3pm Memorial Hall, Station Road, Oxton TD2 6PL

4.30pm – 7.30pm Lauder Community and Leisure Centre, Old Causeway, E High Street, Lauder TD2 6SX

Wednesday 18 March

3.30pm – 6.30pm Fountainhall Village Hall, Old Stage Road, Fountainhall TD1 2SY

Thursday 19 March

4pm – 7pm Stow Town Hall, 1 Earlston Road, Stow TD1 2QS

We will again review the feedback received and make any final amendments to the design and assessment before submitting for planning consent.

Local Contractors Portal

Local businesses interested in exploring commercial opportunities are invited to complete our Local Contractor Portal at the link below.

We are committed to ensuring that, wherever practically possible, local employees and contractors are used in all aspects of the development of the project. Potential opportunities include:

  • Construction, fencing, drainage and forestry contractors
  • Electrical contractors
  • Materials suppliers, such as building merchants
  • Plant hire and security
  • Waste management and fuel providers
  • Local hospitality providers, such as B&Bs
LOCAL CONTRACTORS PORTAL

SITE AREA

Click image below to download a hi-res PDF.

Consultations

At Galileo, we strongly believe in the need for ongoing dialogue regarding our projects. We will consult and listen carefully to views on the proposals for the project, making changes where possible as the plans develop.

As part of this process, we believe in meaningful and effective consultation, aiming to engage early with the local community and key stakeholders. This helps to identify issues and concerns, as well as benefits and opportunities, that we can then consider when developing the design of the proposal.

Our first public consultations were held in April. We were delighted at the turnout of local people with 135 people attending across the 5 events. Feedback was received in person, by post and online. This is helping to inform the proposals as they develop. A second round of community engagement will take place later this year when the revised proposals will be presented and further feedback can be given. In the meantime you can get in touch with us at any time by emailing longmuirenergy@galileoempower.uk.

Further consultations are scheduled for 17th, 18th and 19th March 2026. Please use the links to view the materials on display at the events as well as the feedback form. 

The deadline for feedback from the March 2026 exhibitions is 24th April 2026.

April 2025 Exhibition Materials

Consultation Boards (PDF) Take Home Leaflet (PDF) FEEDBACK FORM

March 2026 Exhibition Materials

Feedback can be given online, as well as in person at our exhibitions.

Consultation Boards Visualisations Take Home Leaflet FEEDBACK FORM

All feedback will be collected in full compliance with GDPR regulations, and any personal information provided will be stored securely and used solely for purpose of the project.

Summary of Current Proposals

Up to 9 turbines

with a maximum tip height of 200m

Solar
Photovoltaics

up to 40MW

105MW

generation capacity which would produce the equivalent of the annual power demand of over
70,000 homes

Potential to displace over 100,000 tonnes of CO2 per year – equivalent to taking over 60,000 cars off UK roads

Annual community wealth fund of £325,000 per year – more than £16 million over the 50 year lifetime of the project

Biodiversity

enhancement plan consisting of woodland planting, riparian planting and wetland creation.

Galileo’s Community Offering

We seek to embrace the Scottish Government Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits when developing and implementing our community benefits packages, including our community wealth funding, and are committed to Galileo developing projects that deliver substantial and tangible local, long-term benefits.

  1. Community Wealth Fund

    We adhere to best practice guidance in relation to community benefit and are committed to delivering substantial and tangible long-term benefits locally. If consented, the Project will provide a significant community wealth fund of £5,000 per MW, per year, for the lifetime of the project.

    Based on an anticipated wind turbine capacity of 72MW, the community wealth fund will be in the region of £325,000 per year – more than £16 million over the 50-year lifespan of the project. 

    It is our intention to set up a community benefit company which would manage the Community Wealth Fund, consider applications and disburse funding.  In due course we will engage with local groups, organisations and trusts to identify how such a fund can best support priorities and projects in the local area.  

  2. Renewable Electricity Discount Scheme (REDS)
    Given that several wind farms in the area already provide funding, Galileo Empower is keen to propose a Renewable Electricity Discount Scheme, ensuring that all properties in the vicinity directly benefit from the renewable energy project. We are consulting on this proposal, with further details to be presented at our exhibition events in April

  3. Community Shared Ownership

    In addition to the Community Wealth Fund, the local community will have the opportunity to take up to a 10% ownership stake in the wind farm, which would generate further revenues to invest in the local area. This approach is consistent with the Scottish Government’s approach to community wealth building as set out in the recent Programme for Government.

    The Galileo team has been directly involved in the successful delivery of community shared ownership schemes elsewhere in Scotland. We also have a long-term working relationship with Local Energy Scotland, the Scottish Government’s adviser on shared ownership, who can assist in providing professional advice and support to the local community.

Economic Impacts

The onshore wind sector already supports more than 3,400 jobs across Scotland and added £1.49 billion to the Scottish economy in 2021, according to the Economic Impact of Scotland’s Renewable Energy Sector report by the respected Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde.

Galileo is committed to maximising the positive local economic impacts from the project’s construction, operation and maintenance, and will seek to achieve this through:

  • Working with local organisations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Business Gateway and South of Scotland Enterprise to identify potential local suppliers
  • Publicising relevant contract opportunities
  • Holding ‘meet the buyer’ events to engage directly with local businesses
  • Meeting with local suppliers
  • Working with turbine suppliers and other ‘senior’ suppliers to ensure that they look to award any contract opportunities locally and recruit from the local area wherever possible.

We are keen to hear from local businesses who may be able to offer the skills and services that we will require to progress the project, and we will be opening a local supplier portal for local companies to register their interest in future commercial opportunities in due course, which will be publicised widely.

References

Scotland has ambitious renewable energy targets, and onshore wind power plays a significant role in achieving these goals. Onshore wind power is among the cheapest and fastest renewable energy technologies to deploy, helping to reduce carbon emissions and dependency on fossil fuels.

Assessing the site’s suitability for an onshore wind proposal involves a series of surveys and studies to ensure that the chosen location is viable for wind energy generation.

Here are some of the critical surveys and assessments typically undertaken:

  • Wind Resource Assessment: This is one of the most critical surveys. Anemometers are installed at different heights to measure wind speeds and directions over an extended period (usually a year or more). This data is used to determine the long-term wind resource potential at the site.
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): EIA studies assess the potential environmental impacts of the proposed wind farm. This includes studies on wildlife, ecosystems, and any potential effects on local communities. It may also involve archaeological and cultural impact assessments.
  • Grid Connection Assessment: This determines the feasibility of connecting the wind farm to the local electrical grid. It includes studies on grid capacity, infrastructure upgrades, and the associated costs.
  • Geotechnical Surveys: These assess the soil and foundation conditions at the site to ensure they can support the weight and vibration of wind turbine foundations.
  • Topographical Surveys: These surveys create detailed maps of the site’s terrain, which is essential for designing the layout of the wind turbines and access roads.
  • Noise Impact Assessment: This assesses the potential noise impact of the turbines on nearby residents. Noise studies help determine appropriate setbacks and mitigation measures.
  • Visual Impact Assessment: This evaluates the visual impact of the wind turbines on the landscape and local communities. It considers factors like turbine height, colour, and placement.
  • Avian and Bat Studies: These studies assess the potential impact of the wind turbines on bird and bat populations. They may involve bird migration studies and bat activity surveys.
  • Shadow Flicker Assessment: This determines whether the rotating turbine blades create annoying flickering shadows for nearby residents and suggests measures to mitigate this.
  • Public Consultation: Engaging with local communities and stakeholders is a crucial part of the site suitability assessment. It helps gather feedback, address concerns, and build support for the project.
  • Meteorological Data Analysis: Analysing historical meteorological data for the area can provide additional insights into the wind patterns and variability at the site.
  • Regulatory Compliance Assessment: Ensuring the proposed wind farm complies with all local, regional, and national regulations and permits is essential.
  • The results of these surveys and assessments inform the decision-making process for an onshore wind proposal. If the site is deemed suitable, detailed design and engineering work can begin.

The site experiences strong and consistent wind patterns due to its geographical location. This makes it an ideal location for harnessing wind energy. We will develop the proposal for the site in close consultation with the local community, and evolve the site design further to ongoing environmental and ecological studies on the site.

We will be holding an initial round of public exhibitions in April 2025 so that members of the public can view and discuss our early-stage proposals.

This will include Zones of Theoretical Visibility (ZTVs), mapping, photomontages as well as significant details of the project design and build.

As the project evolves, we will hold more public consultation events to reflect any changes based on ongoing feedback.

Public exhibition Dates:

  • Tuesday 01 April 2025 14:00 – 17:30
    Fountainhall Village Hall, Old Stage Road, Fountainhall TD1 2SY
  • Wednesday 02 April 2025 14:00 – 17:30
    Lauder Scout Hall, West High Street, Lauder TD2 6TE
  • Thursday 03 April: 15:00 – 19:00
    Stow Town Hall, Earlston Road, Stow TD1 2QS

Galileo is committed to developing projects that deliver substantial and tangible benefits locally and foster strong community relations.

If successful, millions of pounds will be spent locally over the project’s lifetime, in addition to creating and supporting existing jobs in areas such as construction and hospitality.

For the lifetime of the project, we will provide the local community with an investment package worth £5,000 per MW installed per year, in addition to options for the community to own a stake in the wind farm once operational.

Discussions with network operator are at an early stage, and they will develop a proposal which will go through its own consultation/planning process as the project progresses.

We are committed to being a good neighbour and to informing the community of all milestones throughout the project timeline.

This will involve attending meetings of community councils as well as making our proposals available during public exhibitions.

We have made this website user-friendly with direct contact with the project manager.

Please use the contact details provided on this website and we will answer any questions you may have.

About Galileo

Galileo is a fast-growing pan-European, multi-technology, renewable energy developer, owner and operator, with a mission to significantly contribute to achieving global emission reduction targets.

We aim to do this by developing enough smart, efficient, high-quality and integrated green energy projects, so that renewable energy becomes the primary source of electricity for all energy consumers in Europe.

Founded in 2020, Galileo currently has a project development portfolio of over 7000MW across multiple European countries, including the UK, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Poland.

Our senior management team is made up of leading energy and investment experts that bring decades of international experience across more than thirty markets. Galileo’s funders are long-term infrastructure and pension funds with a global footprint, international mindset and a collaborative mentality.

Website: www.galileoempower.uk

Further Information

To discuss the Longmuir Renewable Energy and Biodiversity proposal in more detail, please contact:

Galileo Empower UK Limited, The East Suite, First Floor Office, Greenside House,Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA

Email: longmuirenergy@galileoempower.uk
Telephone: 0131 210 0415

References

  1. The Scottish Government, Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland Act) 2019. (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2019/15/contents/enacted)