The future of one of the UK’s biggest proposed offshore windfarms has been thrown into doubt by a row over the government support it should receive. The Neart na Gaoithe windfarm, based in Scotland’s outer Forth estuary, would have a capacity of about 450MW of power and was originally planned to cost £1.4bn to build, though that is likely to rise to more than £2bn. But reports from the Financial Times and BBC on Thursday suggested that the contract for the windfarm was to be terminated. The Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) had sent a notice to the developer, Mainstream Renewable Power, effectively withdrawing the subsidy. Mainstream Renewable Power has taken legal action over the notice and said it “strongly disputed the validity of the termination notice”.In a statement, that it said had been agreed with the LCCC, the windfarm developer said: “Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Limited are currently in arbitration with the LCCC over the terms of its contract for the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm in the outer Firth of Forth.”
Guardian 12th May 2016 read more »
A £2 billion offshore wind farm is set to be scrapped after it lost a Government subsidy contract due to an ongoing legal challenge over its impact on birds. The proposed Neart na Gaoithe wind farm would see 64 turbines built nine miles off the coast of Fife and was one of only two offshore wind projects to win a subsidy contract from the Government last year. Under the terms of the contract, £200 million had to be committed to the project by a deadline of March 26. But developer Mainstream Renewable Power said it was unable to do so while the wind farm was still subject to a legal challenge by the RSPB, which claimed the 646-feet tall turbines, together with others proposed in the area, would be among “the most deadly for birds anywhere in the world”. Wildlife groups fear the wind farms could kill large numbers of gannets from t he nearby Bass Rock colony, the largest in the world. While a Scottish judge hearing the case has yet to decide whether planning permission should be revoked, it appears the challenge in itself may have succeeded in killing off the project.
Telegraph 12th May 2016 read more »
Dong Energy, the Danish company that has invested £6bn in UK offshore wind power, is planning to float in what would be one of Europe’s biggest listings this year. Dong is already the single largest investor in UK offshore wind projects and plans a further £5bn of spending over the next five years. The state-owned utility said it intended to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq Copenhagen, but would not comment on the potential valuation of the company.
Guardian 12th May 2016 read more »
Times 13th May 2016 read more »
FT 13th May 2016 read more »