Two major wind power projects planned for off the east coast of Scotland took major steps forward yesterday as they cleared local authority planning hurdles.
The proposed £1.3 billion Neart na Gaoithe windfarm nine miles off the coast of Fife was given a major boost with news that East Lothian Council has given the scheme planning permission for onshore works to connect it to the grid.
Seven miles of underground cabling works, from Thorntonloch Beach near Dunbar to the Crystal Rig onshore windfarm in the Lammermuir Hills, have been given the green light making Neart na Gaoithe the first project under scrutiny by Marine Scotland to be given detailed consent for grid connection works.
A maximum of 90 turbines are to be built in water depths of around 50 metres, with the number revised down from a previous estimated upper limit of 125.
Project developer Mainstream Renewable Power says its total installed capacity of 450MW would be capable of generating enough electricity to power the equivalent of all the homes in Edinburgh.
The news came as Highland councillors elected to raise no objection to the proposed Beatrice Offshore Windfarm in the Outer Moray Firth at their meeting in Inverness.
That 277-turbine, £3bn plan a partnership between Perth power giant SSE and Spain’s Repsol Nuevas Energias already has two experimental turbines on site and has been hailed as a “golden opportunity” for the area.
Mainstream offshore manager for Scotland David Sweenie said he was impatient for the Neart na Gaoithe scheme to pick up offshore consent from the Scottish Government agency a step expected later this year.
“This is a major landmark for Neart na Gaoithe, allowing us to work towards ensuring that the onshore connection is ready for when the windfarm starts to generate power,” he said of yesterday’s decision.
“The whole project is of major significance for Scotland and will make a strong contribution towards Scotland achieving its 2020 renewable energy targets. We can’t wait to get going.”
Works are expected to start following a final investment decision, likely to be made next year.
The scheme is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, both during the construction phase and throughout its operation.
The windfarm plan, off Fife Ness, has already been approved by Fife Council with requests for additional mitigation measures.
Angus Council has also given the plan the nod, despite concerns over the potential for “significant impacts” on the seascape and landscape character.
The Beatrice plan around 13 miles from the coast of Caithness, and with a total generation capacity of around 1GW has already received outline planning permission for its land-based works, but is also awaiting offshore consent.
Richard Escott, head of offshore development for SSE Renewables, said he looked forward to a final decision from ministers later this year.
“The project represents a substantial investment in the region and will bring significant benefits to the local economy,” he said.
Scottish Renewables senior policy manager Lindsay Leask highlighted another milestone on Scotland’s road to exploiting its potential for offshore wind.
“As projects continue to progress through the consenting process, clarity on the UK Government’s proposals on electricity market reform and the level of support Scottish offshore wind projects will receive in the future becomes increasingly important,” she added.