Mainstream Renewable Power, the global energy company set up last year by Eddie O’Connor, has been awarded the exclusive right to develop a £1.1 billion offshore wind farm in Scottish territorial waters, with a potential capacity of 420MW. The “Neart na Gaoithe” project is located in the outer Forth Estuary, some 30km north of Torness, where the power is expected to be brought ashore.
Commenting on the announcement, Mainstream’s Chief Executive, Dr Eddie O’Connor said “We are delighted to have been awarded this opportunity and I applaud the Crown Estate and the Scottish Government for their clear vision for renewable energy in Scotland. This project will bring much needed economic impetus to the Scottish economy, including local employment and supply chain opportunities, particularly in Fife and the Lothians.”
He added, “This is a first, but very significant, step for our Offshore Centre of Excellence, which we established last year and this award is testament to the strength of their experience. Our world-class team is focused on implementing our vision for offshore delivery in the UK, Ireland and Germany, in collaboration with our strategic partners. “Neart na Gaoithe” is the first step in our vision of an interconnected series of wind-fired power stations in the North Sea providing long term security of energy supply for Europe.”
Mainstream was awarded the site by the Crown Estate as part of a competitive bidding process where 14 private development consortia submitted formal proposals to build the wind farms in 23 locations off the east and west coasts of Scotland.
“Neart na Gaoithe” has the potential to generate up to 360MW of renewable energy, which is enough power to supply over 360,000 Scottish homes – or more than the whole of Edinburgh. It will offset over 300,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, as well as making a significant contribution towards the delivery of the UK’s share of the European Union target of 20% renewable energy by 2020. It is expected that the wind farm will commence construction by 2014.
For more information, contact:
Emmet Curley, Mainstream Renewable Power
Tel: +353 (0)85 734 9946
Email: [email protected]