Go-ahead for £2 billion Neart na Gaoithe offshore windfarm: 500 direct jobs and clean energy for Scotland

Mainstream Renewable Power has welcomed today’s decision by the Court of Session in a long-running judicial review brought by the RSPB of a planning decision by Scottish Ministers. The decision clears the way to proceed with the 450MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm.

The Inner House of the Court of Session has now refused the RSPB’s application to appeal the Court’s earlier decision to the Supreme Court.

Chief Operating Officer Andy Kinsella welcomed court decision to refuse RSPB appeal

Andy Kinsella, Chief Operating Officer, Mainstream Renewable Power, said: “After more than two years and two court hearings, we hope that the RSPB acknowledges a fair hearing and allows us to get on with delivering the very significant benefits this project brings to the Scottish economy and its environment.”

Once constructed this £2bn project will be capable of supplying 325,000 homes – a city the size of Edinburgh – with clean energy. It will create more than 500 direct jobs during construction and over 100 direct permanent jobs once operational. £540 million will be directly invested in Scotland during the construction phase with a further £610m during the operational phase.

Kinsella added: “We are delighted with the decision, and look forward to working constructively with the RSPB to take the wind farm into construction next year.”

“This project was consented by Scottish Ministers in October 2014 on the advice of Scottish Natural Heritage and Marine Scotland. We have been rigorous throughout the project to work with partners and supply chain businesses to find the best possible way to deliver the project and we are looking forward to seeing NnG up and running.

“We have taken advantage of significant advances in the technology to be used allowing the number of turbines to be reduced from the 125 in the original consent application in 2012, to a maximum of 64.”

Work is expected to start on the project in 2018.