Four offshore wind farms that could provide enough energy to power over 1.4 million Scottish homes have received development consent, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced today.
Once completed, the developments in the Forth and Tay region – Neart Na Gaoithe, Inch Cape Offshore Limited, Seagreen Alpha and Seagreen Bravo – could be capable of generating up to 2.284 GW of electricity.
The consents are granted subject to strict conditions which will mitigate and monitor a range of potential impacts including those in relation to birds and other environmental considerations.
It is estimated that these four developments combined will produce carbon savings estimated at 135 million tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime.
The Scottish Government has declared its aim to move to a low carbon society generating the equivalent of 100 per cent of Scotland’s gross annual electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020, as part of a wider, balanced, energy mix.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said:
“Renewable energy is extremely valuable to Scotland’s economy, to reducing our carbon emissions and in providing low carbon energy supplies as well as jobs and long term investment.
“These wind farms alone could generate a combined gross value added of between £314 million and £1.2 billion in Scotland over their lifetime and generate between 2,567 and 13,612 jobs within Scotland during the construction period.
“Granting consent for these developments will enable them to bid for an offshore wind contract for difference (CfD) under the UK Government’s Electricity Market Reform process.
“The budget for offshore wind (and other less established technologies) in the first of these rounds scheduled for autumn is £235 million, thought to be enough to support around 800 MW of offshore wind in UK waters.
“The level of support available to the offshore renewables sector sits in stark contrast to the unprecedented financial backing being offered to new nuclear plants, with a possible £35 billion subsidy for the new Hinkley Point C station alone in addition to a £10 billion loan guarantee.
“This inevitably means that growth in green energy will be restricted, a sector where Scotland has a competitive advantage.
“In addition, The lack of a 2030 decarbonisation target until at least 2016 leaves a high degree of uncertainty for investors and could adversely impact investment and development of projects.
“I am determined to ensure communities all over Scotland reap the benefit from renewable energy, which will help to reduce climate emissions.
“I also want to see the right developments in the right places. The design and location of any onshore and offshore wind farm should reflect the scale and character of the landscape or seascape and should be considered environmentally acceptable.”
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