Wednesday 19th November, 2025 – Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Vattenfall Celebrates a Decade of Positive Biodiversity Action in the
Scottish Highlands
As part of its “10 Years in 10 Stories” community campaign, leading The
renewable energy company Vattenfall is celebrating a decade of
fossil-free energy at the Clashindarroch Wind Farm, Huntly – and,
importantly, a decade of positive biodiversity action in the Scottish
Highlands.
Located in the heart of Aberdeenshire, the Clashindarroch Wind Farm has
been quietly powering thousands of homes with renewable electricity
while also delivering significant benefits to local communities through
its community fund. Over the past ten years, the fund has supported a
diverse range of local initiatives, including youth development, mental
health support, heritage projects, and skills training, with over £2
million awarded to date.
Since beginning operations in 2015, Clashindarroch has not only
contributed to renewable energy targets but has also played an active
role in habitat restoration and ecological enhancement, particularly
through peatland and moorland restoration work on formerly commercial
forested areas.
One of the standout elements of Vattenfall’s environmental strategy at
Clashindarroch has been the restoration of degraded peatlands and
conifer plantations. Under the project’s Habitat Management Plan,
felled commercial forestry areas are being transformed back into peat
bog and open moorland, with complementary planting of native broadleaf
species like birch trees, to increase habitat diversity.
Restoration techniques include ditch-blocking, “stump flipping” to
facilitate peat formation, and proactive management of Sitka spruce
regeneration – all aimed at fostering a healthier, more resilient
ecosystem. Vattenfall works in partnership with Forestry and Land
Scotland, SEPA, Aberdeenshire Council, and the RSPB within a habitat
management group to guide these efforts and monitor outcomes.
Early results from ongoing biodiversity monitoring are encouraging,
showing that in bog restoration zones, Sphagnum moss abundance has risen
dramatically.
Bird species that thrive in open moorland – including skylark, meadow
pipit, wheatear, and stonechat – are expected to benefit. Woodland and
scrub birds like willow warbler, tree pipit, and redpoll are also
projected to expand. The changes support small mammals and voles, which
in turn benefit predators such as pine martens and Scottish wildcats.
Through periodic vegetation and bird population surveys, Vattenfall
continues to track ecological progress.
Chris Jackson, Director of Environmental Management for Vattenfall,
says:
“The biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis are hugely
interlinked, and we, as a renewable energy provider, have a
responsibility to lead by example. We look to develop solutions that
benefit not just society but also benefit biodiversity, and it is
absolutely our belief that both biodiversity and energy production can
coexist and go hand in hand.”
“At Clashindarroch, we see wind energy not only as a climate solution
but as an opportunity to help protect and enhance biodiversity,” said
Kerry Birse, Local Liaison Officer at Vattenfall. “By embedding
habitat restoration into our operations, we’re aiming for a win-win:
delivering renewable energy while improving nature.”
This biodiversity story is one of 10 featured stories in Vattenfall’s
“10 Years in 10 Stories” campaign – crafted to share how the
Clashindarroch Wind Farm is more than just turbines and energy, it’s a
force for community and the environment. By demonstrating how renewable
infrastructure can coexist with ecology, Vattenfall reinforces its
broader commitment to Scotland’s climate and nature goals. The lessons
learned here will feed into ongoing and future projects, including
Clashindarroch II.
The Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund continues to
welcome applications from projects that benefit the communities of
Huntly, Strathbogie, Tap O’ Noth, and the area served by Cabrach
Community Association. The fund is administered by Foundation Scotland.
If you have a project that could make a difference in your community,
find out how to apply for funding at
https://www.vattenfall.co.uk/our-projects/clashindarroch/
To find out more about the biodiversity work at Clashindarroch, visit
https://www.vattenfall.co.uk/our-projects/clashindarroch
About Vattenfall
Vattenfall is a leading European energy company, which for more than 100
years has electrified industries, supplied energy to people’s homes
and modernised people’s way of living through innovation and
collaboration. We work to enable the fossil freedom that drives society
forward. We are committed to building a future where everyone can choose
fossil free ways to move, make and live. Our goal is net zero emissions
in our entire value chain by 2040 at the latest. We employ approximately
21,000 people, have around 13 million customers and operate mainly in
Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK. Vattenfall is
fully owned by the Swedish state. For more information: Fossil freedom
– Vattenfall.
