Orkney Islands Council awards £14 million construction contract to Heddle Construction

The Balance of Plant (BoP) contract includes final design and building of civils and electrical works in advance of turbine installation.

The contract has been awarded following a competitive tendering process.

The project – in development since 2019 – was unanimously backed by elected members in February 2025 and will see six 149.1 m turbines built at the site in St Ola, situated between Kirkwall and Finstown.

The 28.8 MW wind farm will generate electricity which will be exported via the new interconnector. By exporting this electricity, the project will provide the Council with much need income to protect and enhance existing services.

In October 2025, it was announced that the Council had secured the backing of the National Wealth Fund for the project through a loan covering the cost of the project. Nordex were announced as the turbine suppliers in August 2025.

Founded in 1972 by Ian Heddle and now led by his son, Derek, Heddle Construction employ over 20 staff in its Kirkwall base.

Initially created to construct farm buildings, the firm has expanded over more than 50 years, adding a variety of specialised services to their portfolio. Its crane hire operation is perhaps the most visible element of its business, with its distinctive blue fleet of Liebherr machines engaged on projects throughout Orkney. In recent years, the company have firmly established themselves as experts in the renewable energy field, offering a range of vital services to the wind and marine power sectors.

Derek Heddle, Managing Director of Heddle Construction, responded: “As a long-standing local business with a proven track record in renewable energy, we are delighted to be awarded the BoP contract for this landmark project. Given its scale, we are immensely proud to keep delivery in local hands, setting a clear benchmark for future developments. We look forward to partnering with Orkney Islands Council to deliver a high-quality, locally led project that continues to invest directly in Orkney’s workforce and skills.”

Council Leader, Heather Woodbridge, noted: “I’m delighted that this significant contract has been awarded to Heddle Construction, a well-established local company with a strong track record of delivering major infrastructure and renewable energy projects across Orkney. Securing a local contractor for such an important stage of the development means the economic benefits of the project will be felt here in our communities, supporting local jobs, businesses, and supply chains throughout the construction phase. The Orkney Community wind farms project represents a major investment in Orkney’s future. As well as generating renewable energy that will contribute to Scotland’s and the UK’s net zero ambitions, it will provide a long-term source of income for the Council, helping to protect and enhance the services our communities rely on. This contract award, along with the supplier engagement event which took place last month, demonstrates our commitment to maximising opportunities for local businesses and ensuring the benefits of the wind farm are shared as widely as possible across Orkney.”

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Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/wind/27082026/orkney-islands-council-awards-14-million-construction-contract-to-heddle-construction/