WORLD’S BIGGEST OFFSHORE WIND

Offshore windfarm plan for over 300 turbines in Moray Firth unveiled

Alistair Munro, 31 August 2012 (The Scotsman)

“…[A plan for] the world’s largest offshore wind farm off the Scottish coast, with 339 turbines…which has attracted vocal opposition from campaigners including American tycoon Donald Trump…[would cost] £4.5 billion project…[and] could create hundreds of jobs and provide electricity for a million homes. It would also be a major boost to the Scottish Government’s target of generating 100 per cent of the country’s electricity demand from renewables by the end of the decade…

“…[A joint venture between Spanish/Portuguese firm EDP Renewables (EDPR) and Spanish oil and gas company Repsol Nuevas Energias, operating as] Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd …said the proposals represented the culmination of three years of development work, data gathering, extensive environmental studies and broad consultation…Work, if approved, would start in 2015, with completion by 2020…The wind farm would cover about 114sq miles and could produce up to 1,500MW…The power would be collected by up to eight offshore electrical platforms, before being sent ashore by a cable under the seabed…[and to an onshore substation via] an underground cable…”

“But concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of such a large project, particularly the effect on local marine life and tourism…Stuart Young, a consultant for Communities Against Turbines Scotland and chairman of Caithness Windfarm Information Forum, said…[the turbines] will be a blot on the landscape which will be left for future generations…A spokesman for Mr Trump, who is opposed to a similar offshore wind farm overlooking his Aberdeenshire golf course, said…[the project, like all wind turbine proposals, is totally dependent on subsidies that will cost the taxpayer dearly…”

[Scottish Government spokesman:] “Scotland has astounding green energy potential and vast natural resources, and we have a responsibility to make sure our nation seizes this opportunity to create tens of thousands of new jobs…secure billions of pounds of investment in our economy…[and meet the Scottish Government ambitious but achievable] target of generating the equivalent of 100 per cent of our electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020.”

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