The Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm will be located 15.5 km off the Fife coast and covers an area of approximately 105 km2. EDF Renewables UK acquired the project in May 2018 as part of a competitive bidding process.
The project has the potential to generate 450MW of renewable energy, which is enough power to supply around 375,000 Scottish homes – more than the whole of Edinburgh and will offset over 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
The NnG site was chosen because it combines technical, economic and environmental deliverability. Some of the criteria that formed part of the site selection process included; water depth, ground condition, expected energy yield, access to port facilities and more.
NnG is one of two Scottish offshore wind farms to have won a Contract for Difference (CfD). It gives the wind farm an inflation-linked strike price for the electricity it produces for a period of 15 years. This revenue stream makes the project financeable and will enable it to reach financial close. A map of the proposed project is shown below:
Project facts
- Neart na Gaoithe means ‘Strength of the Wind’.
- Comprises 54 x Siemens SWT-6.0-154 turbines with a rotor diameter of 154m.
- The project has the potential to generate 450MW of renewable energy.
- When fully operational, it will generate enough electricity to power over 375,000 households.
- NnG represents an investment of £2 billion in Scotland’s energy infrastructure.
- It will offset over 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
- Onshore grid connection is at Crystal Rig onshore wind farm near Dunbar, East Lothian.
- Distance of approximately 1 km between each turbine.
- The closest turbine will be a minimum of 15.5 km from the shore.
- The NnG site will be approximately 105 km2.
- It is expected to be commissioned in 2023