Work on offshore Scottish wind farm set to start next year after RSPB appeal refused

Work on a new £2 billion offshore wind farm is expected to start next year after a court overturned an RSPB challenge.

Mainstream Renewable Power (MRP) said its Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) farm will play a “key role” in delivering the Scottish government’s target of 100% renewable electricity by 2020, after the Court of Session refused an application to appeal against an earlier decision. The RSPB brought a judicial review against the 64-turbine windfarm, which will be built 15km off the Fife coast, over concerns around its impact on local and migratory birds.

The 100km² NnG could generate 450MW of energy, enough to power about 325,000 homes or a city the size of Edinburgh. MRP said the windfarm will effectively displace more than 400,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Chief operating officer Andy Kinsella said the company was “delighted” with the decision. “After more than two years and two court hearings, we hope that the RSPB acknowledges a fair hearing and allows us to get on with delivering the very significant benefits this project brings to the Scottish economy and its environment.”

The company will “work constructively” with the RSPB to start building next year, he added. MRP said the project, which was consented by Scottish ministers in 2014, will create 500 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs once operational.

“Significant advances” in turbine technology have allowed MRP to reduce the number of units from 125 to a maximum of 64, he added. Longer, lighter blades means today’s turbines are much more efficient than before.

The RSPB brought the judicial review against the windfarm because of the potential impact on seabirds such as gannets, kittiwake and puffins. Turbine collisions can kill birds, and windfarms can also potentially disturb habitats and breeding grounds.

“While disappointed by the Court of Session decision it is not wholly unexpected,” said Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland. “The existing consents, if implemented, could have a significant impact on Scotland’s breeding seabirds but we are hopeful that by continuing to work with all the developers we will be able to reduce those impacts.”

The organisation will now decide what action to take, she said. The body has 28 days to decide whether to apply directly to the UK Supreme Court.