Swedish energy company Vattenfall has submitted plans for a £190 million wind farm in the south west of Scotland.

The 50-turbine South Kyle Wind Farm will have a total capacity of 170MW – equivalent to the annual electricity demand of more than 90,000 households in the UK.

The energy firm said the project would be based near Patna, Carsphairn, Dalmellington and New Cumnock and would bring “lasting economic benefit to the local community”.

Piers Guy, Vattenfall’s UK Onshore Wind Development Director said: “Developments like this not only make a substantial contribution to the environment they also have a significant positive impact on both the local and national economy. At the peak of construction activity, if the proposal is approved, 79 people will be working on site.”

The application will now be considered by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit. If approved, construction could begin in 2016 and first power generation could be achieved in 2018.

The news comes as a report showed Britain has risen to fourth place in the latest ranking of the most attractive countries for investment in renewable energy.