Dounreay Trì Limited welcomed today’s decision of the Highland Council to approve its proposed demonstration floating wind farm off the Northern coast near Thurso.
The Council was formally consulted on the project as part of Marine Scotland’s consideration on the planning application. Marine Scotland will now be able to complete its assessment and make a recommendation on the project to Scottish Ministers. According to the Renewables Obligation Scheme which the wind farm will operate under the Government has to take a decision by 31 March for it to proceed.
The twin turbine project will be capable of generating 10MW of electricity, enough to power around 8,000 homes. By opening up the deeper waters off the North and West Coast of Scotland new floating wind farms can make a significant contribution to helping Scotland meet its renewable energy targets.
Commenting on the Council’s decision, Marcus Thor, Project Director for Dounreay Trì Limited said, “We are delighted that the Council has agreed with this project and hope that Marine Scotland and the Scottish Government can take a timely decision on it. This demonstration facility which will be built and operated in Scotland opens up the possibility for a significant increase in offshore wind generation and associated supply chain benefits in Scotland.”
The wind farm will be deployed in Scottish Territorial Waters approximately 9km off Dounreay, Caithness in the summer of 2018. In order to proceed the application to Marine Scotland and Scottish Ministers must be processed by 31 March as the Renewable Obligation Certificate level required is only available to projects approved by that date.
For Further information contact: Simon James (for Dounreay Trì) 07984 493071.
The Project consists of:
· A two turbine offshore wind farm with a total installed capacity of 10 MW
· A single export cable to bring the power to shore
· The associated onshore electrical infrastructure
The main offshore components are:
· Two offshore wind turbines of 5MW
· A floating foundation platform
· Mooring lines or chains
· Drag-embedment anchors
· One cable, buried, to bring the renewable electricity ashore
· Scour protection for anchors and the export cable, where necessary
The onshore infrastructure components are:
· A cable landfall, west of the Dounreay nuclear facility
· The onshore cable shall be buried to a depth of approximately 1m, subject to ground conditions
· A substation or switchgear to transfer power to the grid, at, or near, the existing Dounreay Substation.
For more information visit www.hexicon.eu
