The construction of eight wind turbines off the coast of Aberdeen has been
approved by the Scottish Government.
It is estimated the £250 million offshore wind farm will create about 110
jobs during the assembly, installation and ongoing maintenance activities
when it is erected about nine miles south-east of the city.
The floating development by Kincardine Offshore Windfarm Limited will
harness enough energy to provide for almost 56,000 homes and prevent CO2
emissions of more than 94,500 tonnes per year.
The first turbine from the “world’s largest floating wind array” is
expected to be on site in the second quarter of 2018.
Holyrood business, innovation and energy minister Paul Wheelhouse approved
the development on Thursday.
He said: “Once operational, this pioneering, 50MW Kincardine offshore wind
farm will produce enough electricity to power almost 56,000 homes and will
create jobs and investment across Scotland through the use of our supply chain.
“It will also cement our place as one of the world’s leading nations in the
innovation and deployment of floating offshore wind.
“If the technology can be demonstrated at scale, it has huge potential to
help Scotland meet its energy needs and to develop a supply chain that can
service opportunities elsewhere in Europe and in markets such as south-east
Asia and North America.”
Project director Carlos Barat said: “This is a significant development not
just for Kincardine Offshore, but for the offshore renewables sector in
Scotland, the wider UK and across Europe.
“Through the Kincardine project we will open up new opportunities for other
offshore floating wind developments.
“This will herald a new era allowing turbines to be installed in deeper
waters further offshore.”
Lindsay Roberts, senior policy manager at Scottish Renewables, said:
“Scotland is home to approximately 25% of Europe’s offshore wind resource
and we are now starting to build projects which will harness this potential.”
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “The continued development of
floating turbines in Scotland is encouraging as it could enable us and
other nations to secure even more clean power from offshore wind.”
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