Contact us at fls.communities@forestryandland.gov.scot for more information on the sites listed above.
A just transition to net zero means ensuring that communities are at the heart of decision-making, benefiting directly from the energy transition.
Recent updates to the Scottish Government’s asset transfer policy have changed how we notify communities about opportunities to lease renewable energy assets on public land due for repowering through its Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS).
What repowering means
Repowering means upgrading or replacing outdated wind turbines with modern, more efficient models. This will increase energy output and extend the lifespan of the wind farm.
Changes to our approach
Updates to CATS policy will guarantee communities are notified in advance when the wind turbines on our land are approaching repowering and lease renewal. This pre-notification period will span three months.
After noting interest, communities will have a dedicated 12-months to make a request to lease the site through CATS before any commercial tendering begins. This ensures communities have enough time to prepare their asset transfer request.
Wind farms scheduled for repowering
This table lists which wind farms fall under these new measures.
| Scheme name | Indicative repowering name | Size on FLS land - Output (MW) | Total wind farm size - Output (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Law | 2032 | 20.70 | 187.63 |
| An Suidhe | 2033 | 19.30 | |
| Camster | 2035 | 22.00 | 50.00 |
| Myres Hill | 2036 | 2.00 | |
| Stroupster | 2038 | 16.10 | 29.90 |
| Burn of Whilk | 2038 | 22.50 | |
| Clashindarroch | 2043 | 36.90 | 43 |
| A' Chruach | 2043 | 42.60 | |
| Beinn An Tuirc 3 | 2047 | 50.00 | |
| West Benhar | 2048 | 30.10 | |
| Total | - | 262.20 |
Current notifications
We will notify local community bodies and key stakeholders when a wind farm site is nearing the end of its current lease. Current sites notified for interest are listed below. Key information about each site is available on the relevant page.
Notes of interest can only be submitted by eligible community transfer bodies, as defined in Section 5 of the Scottish Government’s Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015: community transfer bodies' guidance. Notes of interest must be received by the deadline below
If one or more community transfer bodies note interest, the CATS Pilot will provide a protected window of 12 months for those bodies to develop and submit an asset transfer request.
If we receive no interest from a community transfer body then we may enter into negotiations with the current operator or may tender the opportunity to repower at the lease end date. Tenders will be assessed in line with the Onshore renewable energy - refreshing the good practice principles for community benefits: working paper including minimum community benefit payments and the opportunity for community shared ownership.
| Site name | Location | Indicative repowering date | Deadline for notes of interest |
|---|---|---|---|
Forth, South Lanarkshire |
2032 |
15 January 2027 |
|
Argyll & Bute |
2033 |
15 January 2027 |
We've developed draft guidance for community bodies on making an asset transfer request for an option to lease for repowering. The guidance is published in draft form as part of the CATS Repowering Pilot and will be reviewed and updated throughout the pilot to reflect feedback, experience, and learning from its application.
We welcome feedback on the content, clarity, and usability of this guidance. Any comments, questions, or suggestions for improvement can be sent to fls.communities@forestryandland.gov.scot.
More information and support
Communities can access support to enable them to take up these opportunities through Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES).
Visit the Local Energy Scotland website for more information on CARES and general information on community energy.
Find out more about Community benefits and opportunities from renewables on the national forests and land.
More information will be available by spring 2026.