Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm welcomes step forward for development off the coast at Dounreay
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A decision by Highland councillors not to object to an offshore wind farm near Dounreay could pave the way for big investment in the far north.
The offshore consent application for the Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm (PFOWF), a 100MW development proposed for 7.5km off the north coast, came before the local authority's north planning committee on Tuesday.
While concerns over radioactive particles being disturbed were raised at the meeting, councillors agreed not to object to the plan as a statutory consultee.
Climate chairman Karl Rosie told the north planning committee it is an exciting opportunity to lead the way in renewable energy.
However, there was some concern over an objection from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) about the potential disturbance of radioactive particles.
Councillors said Sepa’s concerns must be taken seriously, but concluded that their responsibility was to represent Highland Council’s position to the Scottish Government.
They voted eight-four in favour of raising no objection to the development.
Richard Copeland, project director for PFOWF, said: “This is a major step forward for the project, and we welcome the Highland Council’s decision to raise no objection to our application which will bring significant economic benefits to the local area.
“Overall, it is expected that Pentland will deliver lifetime expenditure of £419 million in the UK which is in line with the project’s 40 to 60 per cent lifetime UK content aim. Projections also show Pentland will support the creation of up to 1300 FTE supply chain roles during construction and 85 FTE during operation of the project.
“Alongside these socio-economic benefits, we’ve continued to progress initiatives such as developing an operations and maintenance base at Scrabster harbour, consulting on our proposed community benefit fund and supporting local STEM careers through our regional high school bursary awards.
“At all stages of the project we’ve consulted extensively with the local community and made key changes to the final design of the PFOWF to minimise potential visual and other environmental impacts based on feedback from our consultation events. And we thank the local community and stakeholders for their positive engagement to date.”
In response to the Scottish Government consultation, Sepa asked that developers Highland Wind Limited provide more information on sampling, methodology and assessment of the radioactive risk.
Picking up that point at the north planning meeting, Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss said the importance of the project must be weighed against Sepa’s objection.
Cllr Reiss said radioactive particles had spilled onto the sea bed in the 1970s, and had been tightly monitored ever since. He is concerned that extensive drilling and dredging could further disturb the sea bed.
“I can’t find anyone who can say with confidence what might happen,” said Mr Reiss. “These particles could end up on Thurso and Dunnet beach.”
However, council planners advised the committee to stick to their own jurisdiction.
The offshore application will now be determined by Marine Scotland. The next step for the development will be consent for the project’s onshore application which will be heard by councillors in January.
Once constructed, the PFOWF is estimated to provide enough green energy for almost 70,000 homes per year, approximately 65 per cent of those in the Highland Council area.
PFOWF will sit 7.5km offshore off the coast of Dounreay with an onshore substation planned to be located near HMS Vulcan and Dounreay.
If Marine Scotland grants consent, construction is likely to begin in 2024, with the wind farm fully operational by 2026.
