EDF Renewables UK has obtained government approval for an improved design for the £1.8bn NeartnaGaoithe (NnG) wind farm located in the Firth of Forth, offshore Scotland.
Under the original design, NnG had a maximum of 75 turbines; however, the new design features a maximum of 54 turbines, but each with higher capacity. These turbines would have a maximum of 208m tip height above sea level.
The wind farm will be able to produce 450MW of clean energy – equivalent to the annual power consumption of around 375,000 homes.
Covering an area of approximately 105km2, NnG offshore wind farm will be able to displace 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, once it becomes fully operational.
The project is expected to be operational by 2023. EDF also noted that the project will open to other investors from now until it is built.
EDF Renewables UK NnG project director Matthias Haag said: “This is great news and we are excited to move forward delivering this milestone project for Scotland, which will provide low carbon energy for decades to come.”
EDF Renewables UK is a joint venture between EDF Energy and EDF Renewables. It develops and operates onshore and offshore wind power projects, as well as battery storage technology.
Currently, it operates more than 786MW of wind farms and battery storage and has over 2GW projects with consents and in development stages.
London-based Mainstream Renewable Power announced its plans to build the NnG wind farm in November 2017. However, it sold the project to EDF in May 2018.