The green light has been given to Kincardine Offshore to build the world’s largest floating wind array, consisting of up to eight 6MW semi-submersible turbines, which will operate 15km off the coast of Kincardineshire.
The first turbine of the 50MW array is expected to be on site in the second quarter of 2018.
Director of the project, Carlos Barat, said: “This is a significant development not just for Kincardine Offshore, but for the offshore renewables sector in Scotland, the wider UK and across Europe.
“Through the Kincardine project we will open up new opportunities for other offshore floating wind developments. This will herald a new era allowing turbines to be installed in deeper waters further offshore.”
The development will support the creation of around 110 jobs during assembly, installation and through ongoing operations and maintenance activities. It will also prevent CO2 emissions of more than 94,500 tonnes per year.
Lord Nicol Stephen, a director of Kincardine Offshore, said: “Receiving consent is an important milestone for this project and will maintain Scotland’s position as a leading innovator in offshore renewables.
“We very much appreciate the strong support we have received throughout the development process from Scottish Enterprise and also The Crown Estate in Scotland.”
John Robertson, Senior Manager at The Crown Estate in Scotland, said: “As an active seabed manager which awards and manages rights for projects such as this, The Crown Estate works with partners to support offshore renewables.
“Our team has worked closely with Kincardine Offshore developers as they secured an Agreement for Lease with us and we are very excited to see this important project receive consent.”
Construction activities will start in the summer. Power will be brought ashore to an Aberdeen operations centre and will connect to the grid at Redmoss sub-station in summer 2018.