Black Law (124 MW wind farm)

Black Law is a 124 MW wind farm project in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Its status in the Renewable Energy Planning Database (July 2026 extract) is: operational since 31 May 2004; the record was last updated on 14 December 2011. As a project over 50 MW in Scotland, it is decided by Scottish Ministers under Section 36.

How it works ↓

Data: REPD July 2026 extract · calculated 7 November 2026 · Methodology and sources

124 MWwind farm

operationalstatus in REPD

14 December 2011record last updated

South Lanarkshirecouncil area

Planning timeline

Date	Stage
22 May 2002	Application submitted
13 February 2004	Section 36 consent granted (Scottish Ministers)
31 May 2004	Operational

Project details

Technology: wind farm
Capacity: 124 MW
Status (REPD): operational
Record last updated: 14 December 2011
Operator or applicant: Scottish Power Renewables
Planning authority: Scottish Government (S36)
Planning application reference: not recorded
Turbines: 54
Address (REPD): Black Law, Climpy
Council area (by location): South Lanarkshire
Time to decision: 90 weeks
REPD reference: 3116

The Black Law onshore wind farm near Climpy (in postcode district ML8, South Lanarkshire) has consent and two extensions, while two neighbouring wind applications were refused. Scottish Power Renewables operates its 54 turbines; the REPD lists the site as operational from 31 May 2004.

Projects above 50 MW in Scotland are decided by Scottish Ministers under Section 36. The application was submitted on 22 May 2002 and consent came on 13 February 2004, after 90 weeks. Across 334 decided applications the median is 127 weeks, with 18% refused.

Extensions and neighbours

At the same location, Extension 1a at 48.4 MW and Extension 1b at 15 MW are operational; the register tracks them separately from the 124 MW main wind farm. Nearby, Damside (20 MW, 3.9 km) and Hill Rig Community (28 MW, 4.9 km) were refused, while Gladsmuir Hills at 41 MW is approved, not built. The Black Law record has not been updated since 14 December 2011: as of the July 2026 extract, the register may lag behind events.

Who decides

As a project over 50 MW in Scotland, it is decided by Scottish Ministers under Section 36. Scottish Government (S36) refused 18% of 334 decided solar, wind and battery applications in REPD (median 127 weeks to a decision). Across all UK planning authorities 19% of 10,236 decided applications were refused.

Other large projects within 10 km

Project	Type	MW	Status	km
Black Law Extension - 1b	wind farm	15	operational	<0.1
Black Law Extension - 1a	wind farm	48.4	operational	<0.1
Damside Wind Farm	wind farm	20	refused	3.9
Gladsmuir Hills Wind Farm	wind farm	41	approved, not built	4.6
Hill Rig Community Wind Farm	wind farm	28	refused	4.9
Watsonhead Wind Farm	wind farm	8.4	operational	5.3
Tormywheel Wind Farm Extension	wind farm	5	approved, not built	6.6
Tormywheel	wind farm	30.8	operational	7.4
Hartwood Windfarm	wind farm	21	permission expired	7.4

Status and dates as recorded in the Renewable Energy Planning Database (July 2026 extract); the database is compiled from public sources and can lag behind council decisions. Location: REPD grid reference (55.7622, -3.7626).