The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Work to begin on £2 billion wind array off Fife coast after court action to scupper project ends.
Company can now go ahead with development off the coast of Fife
Work on a £2 billion windfarm off the Fife coast will begin next year after the courts threw out a last-ditch attempt to scupper the project.
Developers Mainstream Renewable Power said it expected to create 500 construction jobs after the final hurdle to developing its Neart Na Gaoithe windfarm was overcome. It will see up to 64 turbines installed off Fife Ness.
The project had been in limbo for more than two years after bird protection charity RSPB Scotland launched a court action to overturn planning permission granted by Scottish Ministers.
RSPB Scotland initially won its case but the decision was overturned in May.
The bird conservation group last month lodged an application with the Inner House of the Court of Session seeking leave to appeal that decision to the Supreme Court but that request has now been denied.
The charity said yesterday it would consider the “implications” of the latest judgement.
Mainstream said the decision cleared the way for it to build.
“After more than two years and two court hearings, we hope 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,” Andy Kinsella, chief operating officer at Mainstream Renewable Power said.
“Once constructed, this £2bn project will be capable of supplying 325,000 homes – a city the size of Edinburgh – with clean energy. It will create more than 500 direct jobs during construction and more than 100 direct permanent jobs once operational.
“A total of £540 million will be directly invested in Scotland during the construction phase, with a further £610m during the operational phase.
“We are delighted with the decision and look forward to working constructively with the RSPB to take the windfarm into construction next year.”