The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Largo Bay windfarm plans face scrutiny.
Energy company wants to build nine turbines one mile offshore
Plans for a windfarm off the coast of Fife are to be scrutinised at a public meeting later this month.
Nine huge turbines could be erected in the Firth of Forth, a mile offshore from Methil.
Most of the structures in Largo Bay would stand 600ft above the water and one 740ft.
Largo Area Community Council has invited people to its next meeting on November 20 to hear more about the proposal from the company behind it, 2B Energy.
Peter Aitken, of the community council, said: “A presentation will be given on the nine wind turbines proposed to be sited in Largo Bay, followed by a question and answer session.
“The presentation will also deal with the proposed onshore routes for the cables from the wind turbines.
“This is an opportunity for the community to hear first-hand details of this proposed project.”
The Forthwind Demonstration Project is aimed at validating the firm’s technology both as a standalone turbine and as part of an offshore array.
The first stage was the successful operation of a prototype turbine in the Netherlands and the second will be the erection of two demonstration turbines offshore at Methil next year, consent having been granted by the Scottish Government in December 2016.
An additional seven turbines in the Methil development area to fully demonstrate the 2B Energy “Powerblock” will be the final phase.
Six of the turbines would be fixed to the sea bed and three may be deployed using floating technology.
A helipad is also included in the design and the onshore component would include a landing and cable route to a transformer station and control station at Fife Energy Park.
Consent will be sought from Scottish ministers for a 40-year lifespan.
Independent analysis cited by 2B Energy concluded the 65MW windfarm development would create employment for more than 550 people at its peak and support a further 1,200 jobs.
Pre-application consultation is being conducted and a report will be produced before an application is made for a marine licence.
Largo Area Community Council’s meeting will be held in the Stables, Church Place, Upper Largo, on November 20 at 7pm.
This is an opportunity for the community to hear firsthand details of this proposed project. PETER AITKEN