Offshore Wind Power Enters a New Era

26 August 2005

The world’s largest offshore wind farm in deeper waters is now a step closer, thanks to grant support from the Scottish and UK governments.

The First Minister, Jack McConnell, today announced £6 million of public funding to support the Scottish based consortium, led by offshore oil operator Talisman and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), which plans to construct a deepwater wind farm demonstration project next to the Beatrice Field. 

The Scottish government is making a  contribution of £3 million, which  will be matched by £3 million from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The demonstrator project will use two of the largest turbines installed anywhere in the world to test the technical and economic feasibility of deepwater wind farms distant from shore.  Subject to the results of the demonstrator, Scotland should see a massive offshore wind farm of up to 200 turbines, capable of generating enough renewable electricity to power the city of Aberdeen.

Speaking at a dinner in Aberdeen to celebrate Talisman’s successful ten years of oil and gas operations in the North Sea, Mr McConnell said:

“This exciting Talisman and SSE project is technologically and economically challenging, but offers the potential to take offshore wind farm technology to a new level.

“For thirty years Scottish based companies and Scottish expertise have proved that offshore technology can prosper, even in the deep and difficult waters of the North Sea. Utilising the skills and techniques already there in our oil and gas sector can make us world leaders in a whole new generation of renewable energy technologies, including offshore wind, wave and tidal. 

“We are committed to extending the life of our oil and gas industry, and one of the ways to do this is through diversification.  Through renewable energy and diversification we can provide new opportunities for industry, and make an important contribution to our ambitious target of generating 40 per cent of Scottish electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. 

 “I am therefore delighted that the Scottish government and the DTI have each agreed to provide £3 million to support this project.  A project which should see the first electricity being generated in 2006, and offer tremendous opportunities for jobs and construction across Scotland in the future”