Green light for the £2 billion Neart na Gaoithe offshore windfarm
Mainstream Renewable Power has welcomed decision by the Court of Session to clear the way to proceed with the 450MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm in Scotland (UK). This decision has involved a a long-running judicial review brought by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) of a planning decision by Scottish Ministers.
The 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe project involves the construction and operation of a large-size offshore wind farm of up to 75 turbines, 15 km off the coast of Fife, Scotland. The project site will be approximately 80 square kilometres, with the turbines sited in water depths of 45 - 55 metres.
Mainstream Renewable Power has been developing this project for over eight years, since it was awarded the development rights for the site from The Crown Estate in February 2009.
The total investment of the project will be around £2-billion (US$2.6 billion).
Mainstream anticipates the project will achieve financial close in 2018 with construction starting in 2019 and first commercial supply of electricity occurring in 2021.
Andy Kinsella, Chief Operating Officer, Mainstream Renewable Power said:
“After more than two years and two court hearings, we hope that the RSPB acknowledges a fair hearing and allows us to get on with delivering the very significant benefits this project brings to the Scottish economy and its environment."
“We are delighted with the decision and look forward to working constructively with the RSPB to take the wind farm into construction next year."
“This project was consented by Scottish Ministers in October 2014 on the advice of Scottish Natural Heritage and Marine Scotland. We have been rigorous throughout the project to work with partners and supply chain businesses to find the best possible way to deliver the project and we are looking forward to seeing NnG up and running."
The wind project will generate the cheapest electricity from any offshore wind farm in the UK. Several PPA offers have been received and are under negotiation for the full output of the plant.
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