Andrew Denholm
SCOTLAND is to become home to the world’s largest floating offshore windfarm.
An application for a marine licence for the Hywind development off the
north east coast has been approved by the Scottish Government.
Leading energy company Statoil will develop a pilot park of five floating
turbines located some 15 miles off the coast of Peterhead, north of
Aberdeen, with a generating capacity of 135GWh each year. It is expected
the Hywind Scotland development could power nearly 20,000 homes.
Unlike conventional turbines, Hywind turbines will be attached to the
seabed with power transported to the shore through a series of underwater
cables.
John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister, said: “Hywind is a hugely exciting
project – in terms of electricity generation and technology innovation –
and it’s a real testament to our energy sector’s expertise and skilled
workforce that Statoil chose Scotland for the world’s largest floating
windfarm.”
Maggie McGinlay, director of energy at Scottish Enterprise, also welcomed
the announcement.
She said: “This is fantastic news for Scotland’s renewables industry as a
whole, but in particular our growing offshore wind supply chain.
“We’ve been working closely with our companies to directly link them with
Statoil for some considerable time to ensure they are in the best position
possible to take advantage of the significant opportunities we know this
development will bring.
“This announcement is a clear indication that Scotland’s growing strengths
in offshore wind are recognised at an international level.”
Statoil’s executive vice president for New Energy Solutions Irene
Rummelhoff added: “Floating wind represents a new, significant and
increasingly competitive renewable energy source.
“Our objective with developing this pilot park is to demonstrate a
commercial, utility-scale floating wind solution, to further increase the
global market potential.”
Lang Banks, World Wildlife Fund Scotland director, said successful floating
turbines could enable Scotland to secure even more clean energy from
offshore wind in the future.
He said: “With the right political support for offshore wind and other
renewable technologies, Scotland is well placed to become the EU’s first
renewable electricity nation by 2030.
“As we approach the Holyrood elections, we call on all political parties to
set out their plans to create jobs and cut carbon by continuing to grow
renewables in Scotland.”
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