Dublin’s wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power received approval from Scottish Ministers for the construction and operation of the offshore 450 MW Neart na Gaoithie in the Outer Forth Estuary, North Sea. This wind farm, which will be directly connected to Scotland’s electricity grid, is the first to be constructed offshore in Scottish waters. The Neart na Gaoithie (NnG) wind farm will deliver enough power to supply 325,000 homes with electricity, i.e. This is equivalent to 3.7% Scotland’s electricity needs. Preconstruction will begin in 2015,, and electricity generation will start in 2018.. Neart na Gaoithie’s wind turbines will measure 197 metres high. (Photo by Mainstream Renewable Energy). NgN is expected to cost approximately PS1.5 billion (about $2.2). 41 million) will be completed, making it the country’s first off-shore wind farm to receive true, non-recourse financing at construction. The company will be eligible for Infrastructure UK Treasury Guarantee grants and European Investment Bank financing. The European Investment Bank finances projects in the European Union. The European Investment Bank is the largest public lender in the world. NnG can have up to 75 turbines that cover an area of approximately 80 km (30.. 88 miles Mainstream claims that the NnG project will provide hundreds of jobs both directly and indirectly while it’s being constructed and throughout its life. GeoSea will design, supply and install the wind turbine foundations, and the STDL/Prysmian consortium will provide the electrical work. Eddie O’Connor (Founder, CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Mainstream Renewable Power), said that today’s announcement was a significant milestone in Scottish energy. It is the first time that a windfarm will be constructed in Scottish waters for the purpose of providing renewable energy to homes and businesses. It will produce enough green energy to power more homes than Edinburgh. Andy Kinsella is Mainstream’s chief operating officer. “This announcement is significant for the global offshore industry as it is the first time that an offshore wind farm this size will be constructed using only project financing by a private company. This is testimony to Mainstream’s world-leading offshore development team, who have worked on the project since it was established in 2008. It also underpins Mainstream’s status as the leading independent offshore developer. EDP Renewables UK was approved for its 800 Megawatt Cape project. Also, approval was given to EDP Renewables UK and Fluor’s 525 megawatt Seagreen Alpha, and 525 gigawatt Seagreen Bravo windfar The United Kingdom has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80+% by 2025 from 1990 levels. On Friday, the European Commission approved the PS24.5 billion ($39. 36 Billion Hinkley Point C Nuclear Plant Project, which will be constructed near Bridgwater, Somerset, England.
