A LEADING conservation charity could take further action despite losing a high-profile legal battle over an offshore wind farm. RSPB Scotland sought to block the £1.8 billion Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) project in the Firth of Forth over fears it would damage bird populations. In 2016, judge Lord Stewart upheld a legal challenge brought by the organisation against this and three other schemes designed to power a combined 1.4 million homes. RSPB Scotland hard argued that permissions granted by the Scottish Government were a breach of legal requirements. But last year an appeal judge overturned this in a move described by commentators as a “victory” for renewables. Yesterday, EDF Renewables UK announced that it has secured consent from the Scottish Government for an “improved design” for NnG, which will see f ewer, taller turbines installed almost 16km from the shore. The changes reduce the number of units from 75 to a maximum of 54. But, stretching to a height of 208 metres above sea level, they will be capable of delivering the same 450 megawatts of energy – enough to power 375,000 homes for a year – with generation beginning in 2023. According to the company, the revised design makes use of “the latest advances in offshore wind technology”.
The National 5th Dec 2018 read more »
The newly-completed Nemo interconnector is a ‘perfect example’ of a type of project that can help Europe realise its ambition of obtaining 80% of its electricity from the North Sea, primarily from offshore windfarms. On 4 December an event was held to celebrate the commissioning of the Nemo interconnection link between Great Britain and Belgium. The event, co-organised by transmission system operators Elia (Belgium) and National Grid (UK) marked the inauguration of a project that could revolutionise how Europe sources its energy, WindEurope believes. The Nemo Link interconnector will connect the electricity systems of the UK and Belgium via two subsea and underground high voltage direct current cables. This is the first interconnector between the two countries. It will allow up to 1 GW electricity to flow in either direction between the two countries from February 2019. WindEurope has consistently stated that the North Sea boasts huge potential in terms of offshore electricity. A recent report noted that roughly 80% of the EU’s total electricity demand could be supplied from here.
Offshore Wind Journal 5th Dec 2018 read more »
A zero-subsidy tender process for bids for the Hollandse Kust (Zuid) 3 and 4 offshore windfarms has been instigated in the Netherlands. The Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy published a ministerial order for the tender in the Government Gazette on 3 December 2018. Hollandse Kust (Zuid) 3 and 4 are both 350 MW windfarms, making the combined zero-subsidy tender a 700 MW project. The zero-bid tender will open on 1 March 2019. In March 2018, a zero-subsidy deal was awarded to Vattenfall for the Hollandse Kust (Zuid) 1 and 2 offshore windfarms, these being the first zero-subsidy offshore wind projects that will be built anywhere.
Offshore Wind Journal 5th Dec 2018 read more »