The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) will consist of 11 wind turbines and have a capacity of 92.4 MW. Apart from generating electricity, it will also be a centre for testing and developing new technologies for offshore wind power.
The Scottish government granted approval for building the wind farm in 2013, but the project was then delayed by legal challenges submitted by Donald Trump, who claimed the wind farm would ruin views from his Trump Links golf course near Aberdeen. These challenges were finally cleared in December 2015 and the project team has since been preparing for the wind farm’s installation.
“We aim to double our wind power capacity from 2 to 4 GW by 2020 and are focusing on reducing and streamlining our offshore wind power costs” said Magnus Hall, CEO and President of Vattenfall. “Our investment in the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre off Aberdeen is an important part of this process.”
Mr Hall added that the project underscores Vattenfall’s long-term aim to extend its wind power capacity in Great Britain and that since the British government wants wind power to continue making up a significant part of the country’s climate-neutral electricity generation, Vattenfall will aim to be a part of this development and grow its presence in the UK.
Construction of the wind farm offshore is expected to start in the latter part of next year so that it can start generating electricity in spring 2018. Onshore construction activity will start later this year.
The development of the EOWDC has progressed in collaboration with a local partner, the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group. In line with earlier agreements, Vattenfall will acquire the Group’s shares and become the sole owner of the project.
Image: Vattenfall's Ormonde wind farm in the Irish Sea
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