Plans lodged to build 277 turbines off Caithness coast
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PERMISSION to build 277 turbines off the east coast of Caithness is being sought from the Scottish Government.
Beatrice Wind Farm Limited today applied for planning consent to build the development, which it estimates would provide power for almost 800,000 homes.
The project known as BOWL – a joint venture between SSE Renewables and Repsol Nuevas Energias UK – was awarded an exclusivity agreement by the Crown Estate to develop the Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm in Scottish territorial waters in February 2009.
The Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm site is located in the Outer Moray Firth on the north-western point of the Smith Bank.
It is approximately 13.5km from the east Caithness coastline and will cover an approximate area of 131.5 sq km.
The proposed wind farm will have between 142 and 277 turbines operating, depending on their size which is yet to be finalised.
The proposal will now be thoroughly scrutinised before a final decision is taken by Scottish ministers.
The application is the first of the Scottish territorial waters leases to be submitted for consideration and is the culmination of several years of data collation, environmental studies and consultation.
A final decision on the project by the Scottish Government is expected in January.
