Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm’s onshore consent application was approved by Aberdeenshire Council recently, in a big step forward for the project.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the local authority’s Infrastructure Services Committee, with councillors backing the plans to connect the project to the National Grid.
It means that planning permission has now been granted in principle for the wind farm’s onshore infrastructure, which includes underground cabling and a substation.
A separate offshore consent application covering the wind farm itself was submitted at the end of last year, and is currently being considered by the Scottish Government.
Muir Mhòr is the first fully floating offshore wind farm from the ScotWind leasing process to achieve onshore planning consent, following extensive consultation with local communities and stakeholders.
If its offshore application is approved, the project is set to start generating clean and renewable power in the early 2030s, bringing huge economic benefits to Aberdeenshire in the process.
These include the creation of a significant number of jobs during its construction, operation and maintenance phases, and a supply chain contributing millions of pounds to the region’s economy.
A community benefit fund will also be established, developed in partnership with local communities and focusing on their priorities.
Once operational, the wind farm will be able to generate up to 1GW of clean power, enough to provide electricity for the equivalent of up to 1.2 million homes every year.
This will in turn make the country’s energy supplies more secure, as well as aiding with the UK Government’s clean power mission.
As well as bringing economic benefits, the project is committed to enhancing the skills of the Scottish offshore wind workforce at all levels, beginning in schools.
Muir Mhòr is a 50/50 joint venture between Fred. Olsen Seawind and Vattenfall, both having an established track record in Scotland. Working together, both companies are committed to securing Scotland’s energy future and green economy.
The wind farm – whose name means ‘Great Sea’ in Gaelic – will be located off the east coast of Scotland, approximately 63km from the coast of Peterhead.
David Hinshelwood, project director for Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm, said, “The granting of onshore planning consent is a very important moment for our project, and we are delighted that Aberdeenshire Council has decided to give the go-ahead.
“Our focus is now on gaining approval for our offshore consent application from the Scottish Government, so our project can move ahead and bolster the UK’s energy security.”
Rachel Baird, onshore consents manager for Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm, said, “Today’s decision is the culmination of a lot of hard work by our team, and we are very grateful to the councillors in Aberdeenshire for taking the time to consider our application carefully.
“We’d like to thank everyone who participated in this process and look forward to continuing these conversations as the project moves forward.”
