Renewable energy project developer Mainstream Renewable Power says it has submitted its application for offshore consent to the Marine Scotland Licensing Operations Team for the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind project, to be located in Scottish territorial waters.
The application, which is now open to consultation until Sept. 10, is a significant step toward delivering the project into offshore construction in 2015, Mainstream Renewable Power says.
The application for this development follows a three-year process of detailed stakeholder consultation and is for a development consisting of 64 to 125 wind turbines. The project is expected to occupy an area of approximately 105 square kilometers about 15 kilometers off the Fife coast in water depths of 45 to 55 meters.
The Scottish government has designated the site as suitable for development. Having secured grid connection in 2010 and a lease agreement with The Crown Estate in 2011, Mainstream Renewable Power aims to reach financial close in 2013 and expects the project to be fully operational by the end of 2016.
The project represents an investment of approximately 1.4 billion British pounds.
