March 26, 2013
Scotland

Trump row offshore windfarm given approval by Scottish Government

STV | 26 March 2013 | stv.tv

An offshore windfarm at the centre of a row involving American billionaire Donald Trump has been given the go-ahead by the Scottish Government.

The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) in Aberdeen Bay will consist of 11 wind turbines and their connecting cables, sited between two and 4.5 km off the Aberdeenshire coast, capable of generating up to 100 MW, providing enough energy to meet the needs of over 49,000 homes – almost half of the homes in Aberdeen.

Mr Trump had previous vowed not to complete his golf development at the Menie Estate, near Ellon, in Aberdeenshire if the windfarm was built.

Energy, enterprise and tourism minister Fergus Ewing said: “Offshore renewables represent a huge opportunity for Scotland; an opportunity to build up new industries and to deliver on our ambitious renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.

“The Scottish Government is committed to the successful and sustainable development of an offshore wind sector, which could lead to a potential generation of over £7bn to Scotland’s economy and support up to 28,000 direct jobs and a further 20,000 indirect jobs by 2020.

“The proposed European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre will give the industry the ability to test and demonstrate new technologies in order to accelerate its growth.

“The centre will also generate up to 100 MW, enough electricity to meet the electricity needs of almost half the homes in Aberdeen City. It secures Aberdeen’s place as the energy capital of Europe.

“In consenting this application I have put in place a number of conditions to mitigate a range of impacts.

“My role was in determination of assessing the offshore elements of this development in relation to the Electricity Act consent. An application for a marine licence which is also required for the development is under consideration and will be determined in due course.

“There is another consent relating to the Blackdog sub-station development which is also required is a matter for Aberdeenshire Council.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/03/26/trump-row-offshore-windfarm-given-approval-by-scottish-government/