THE Scottish Government has backed plans for the world’s third-biggest offshore windfarm to be built in the Moray Firth – and paved the way for a green energy jobs boom.
Manufacturing firms in the north are expected to cash in as 326 turbines are installed on the seabed in two neighbouring projects off the Caithness coast. Developers claim that, in tandem, the projects by Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd and the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd will be able to power more than a million homes.
SNP ministers said they would be worth up to £2.5billion to the Scottish economy and could generate more than 5,000 jobs.
But RSPB Scotland warned the turbines posed a threat to wildlife and called for the development to be scaled down.
Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland has the potential to lead the development of an exciting, new renewables industry as offshore wind moves into deeper waters.
“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.
“These windfarms alone could generate gross value worth up to £2.5billion over their lifetime and generate up to 4,600 jobs during peak construction and up to 580 once in operation.”
The boss of the former Ardersier oil yard near Inverness, which is aiming to become a super-centre for the manufacture of offshore wind turbines, said the developments were a “major opportunity”.
Port of Ardersier chief executive Steve Gobbi said: “Offshore wind could generate thousands of new jobs in the Highlands, with ports as the key.
“The build-out of projects such as Moray and Beatrice will require bespoke facilities where developers can manufacture, assemble and ship major deepwater offshore sub-structures – at a scale we have not seen in decades.
“Places like Port of Ardersier, which were purpose-built in the 1970s for the first oil boom, are now ideally placed to offer the acres of space and deep water quays these offshore windfarms will require.
“The Moray and Beatrice projects are a major opportunity and we are working closely with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to secure as much local impact from this project as we can.”
Alastair Kennedy, communications director for Global Energy Group, said: “This announcement is exciting for renewable industry in Scotland and the UK.
“The facilities we have at Nigg are well placed to take advantage of any opportunities which come from this announcement.”
SSE Renewables and Repsol Nuevas Energias UK are behind the Beatrice proposal and yesterday said the £3billion windfarm had the potential to “create a new industry in the Moray Firth area”.
Richard Escott, SSE Renewables’ head of offshore development, said: “SSE Renewables and our joint venture partner Repsol are delighted that Marine Scotland has granted consent to the Beatrice offshore windfarm.
“The project could represent a substantial investment in the Moray Firth region and could bring significant benefits and exciting opportunities to the local economy through construction and operation.”
The firm added that companies lined up to deliver the project included Seaway Heavy Lifting, Siemens Wind Power, Siemens Transmission and Distribution, Burntisland Fabrication and Atkins.
Moray project director, Dan Finch, said: “We look forward to engaging with businesses who will be able to take advantage of the new market which offshore wind development will bring, and will be announcing a series of events in the Moray Firth area to encourage the development of a competitive, innovative supply chain.”
The company said it was too early to say where the turbines would be manufactured but it was in close contact with facilities in the Moray Firth area.