Scotland: Mainstream Submits Application for 450 MW Offshore Wind Farm

Global renewable energy developer Mainstream Renewable Power has announced the submission of its application for Offshore Consent to Marine Scotland Licensing Operations Team (MS-LOT) for its 450MW Neart na Gaoithe (“NnG”) offshore wind project in Scottish territorial waters.

The application, which is now open to consultation until Monday 10 September, is a significant step towards delivering the project into offshore construction in 2015.

The application for this development follows a three-year process of detailed stakeholder consultation and is for a development consisting of 64-125 wind turbines.

NnG is planned to occupy an area of approximately 105 sq km on a site that, at its closest point to land, lies 15km off the Fife coast and in water depths of 45-55m.

The  wind farm will deliver 450MW of electricity – enough to power 325,000 homes in a city the size of Edinburgh or up to 3.7% of Scotland’s electricity demand when fully operational.

The Scottish Government’s Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) earmarked the site as one of only six in the current Scottish Territorial Waters programme suitable for development.

Having secured grid connection in 2010 and an Agreement for Lease with The Crown Estate in 2011, Mainstream aims to reach financial close in 2013 and be fully operational by the end of 2016.

The development represents an investment of £1.4bn and is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs both during construction and during its anticipated 25 years in operation.

Chief Executive of Mainstream Renewable Power’s Offshore Business, Andy Kinsella said: “This is a major milestone in the delivery of this offshore wind farm. With over 7,500MW of offshore wind farms in development in the UK and Germany, this demonstrates Mainstream’s ability in selecting the best sites, developing to a high standard and delivering to challenging milestones.”

He continued: “This project is of strategic importance to Scotland; not only will it supply a significant percentage of the country’s electricity demand it will also help to deliver Scotland’s and the UK’s renewable energy targets in advance of 2020.” 

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Offshore WIND staff, July 30, 2012; Image: Mainstream Renewable Power