Latest news with #ScotWind
ITV News
17 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Plans to build offshore wind farms nearly 40km off the St Abbs coastline have been approved
The Scottish Government has approved plans to build one of the world's biggest offshore wind farms, located nearly 40km off the St Abbs coastline. The Berwick Bank wind farm would have the capacity to power every Scottish household almost twice annually, generating 4.1 gigawatts. It could also generate enough to power around 17% of UK households. A seabird assessment will be made to understand the potential harm to nearby wildlife by developer SSE Renewables, to outline a compensation plan. It'll need to be approved by Scottish Ministers before Berwick Bank goes ahead with the development. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes says the decision "is a major step in Scotland's progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis". She said: 'It is also an important decision for Scotland's renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland's significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing rounds. 'We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.' The decision follows the official opening of the Neart na Gaoithe wind farm development off the Eyemouth coastline. The project, which has 54 wind turbines, was visited by First Minister John Swinney last week after being initially chosen as a renewable energy site in 2008. Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary for the UK Government, said: "We welcome this decision which puts us within touching distance of our offshore wind targets to deliver clean power by 2030 – boosting our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. 'We need to take back control of our energy and more offshore wind getting the green light marks a huge step forward in Britain's energy security and getting bills down for good. 'But we know there's a lot more work to do and we must go further and faster to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels and make working people better off with clean, homegrown, secure power as part of our Plan for Change.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'Since taking office I have prioritised delivering more clean energy jobs in Scotland. I welcome this decision, which marks a crucial stage in the development of this project. Berwick Bank has the potential to make a huge contribution to the UK Government's growth and clean energy missions and create clean power jobs in Scotland."Scotland is at the front of the race to clean energy across the UK, Berwick Bank would be the world's biggest wind farm just off the East Lothian coast, which underlines the massive potential clean energy has to generate jobs, wealth and opportunity for Scottish families."These large-scale renewable energy projects will ensure people in Scotland truly benefit from clean power, lower bills, and good quality job opportunities."
Leader Live
18 hours ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Massive offshore wind farm approved by Scottish Government
Berwick Bank – proposed to be built off the coast of East Lothian – aims to deliver 4.1 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, which is believed to be enough to power every home in Scotland twice over and around 17% of the homes in the UK. The development will feature up to 307 turbines and have two connection points to the grid – one in Dunbar, East Lothian, and another in Blyth, Northumberland. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the approval, saying the Government had given the application 'extremely careful consideration'. She said: 'The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland's progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy. 'It is also an important decision for Scotland's renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland's significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas leasing rounds. 'We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.' Developers SSE Renewables will have to provide a plan to counter any impact the wind farm may have on seabirds to be approved by ministers. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the announcement means there have been enough wind farms approved in the UK to meet the Government's ambition of delivering clean power by 2030. 'We welcome this decision, which puts us within touching distance of our offshore wind targets to deliver clean power by 2030 – boosting our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower,' he said. 'We need to take back control of our energy and more offshore wind getting the green light marks a huge step forward in Britain's energy security and getting bills down for good. 'But we know there's a lot more work to do and we must go further and faster to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels and make working people better off with clean, homegrown, secure power as part of our Plan for Change.' The UK Government aims to have between 43 and 50GW of energy capacity in offshore wind by the end of the decade, with 15.9GW currently online and a further 28GW having received consent. Stephen Wheeler, the managing director of SSE Renewables, said news of the approval is 'hugely welcome'. He added: 'At over 4GW of potential capacity, Berwick Bank can play a pivotal role in meeting the mission of Clean Power 2030 for the UK and achieving Scotland's decarbonisation and climate action goals. 'Berwick Bank has the potential to rapidly scale-up Scotland's operational renewable energy capacity and can accelerate the delivery of homegrown, affordable and secure clean energy to UK consumers from Scottish offshore wind, helping meet the UK's clean power ambition by 2030.'
Glasgow Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Massive offshore wind farm approved by Scottish Government
Berwick Bank – proposed to be built off the coast of East Lothian – aims to deliver 4.1 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, which is believed to be enough to power every home in Scotland twice over and around 17% of the homes in the UK. The development will feature up to 307 turbines and have two connection points to the grid – one in Dunbar, East Lothian, and another in Blyth, Northumberland. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the approval, saying the Government had given the application 'extremely careful consideration'. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the decision had been as a result of 'extremely careful consideration' (Andrew Milligan/PA) She said: 'The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland's progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy. 'It is also an important decision for Scotland's renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland's significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas leasing rounds. 'We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.' Developers SSE Renewables will have to provide a plan to counter any impact the wind farm may have on seabirds to be approved by ministers. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the announcement means there have been enough wind farms approved in the UK to meet the Government's ambition of delivering clean power by 2030. Ed Miliband said such approval for offshore wind projects is a 'huge step forward in Britain's energy security and getting bills down for good' (PA) 'We welcome this decision, which puts us within touching distance of our offshore wind targets to deliver clean power by 2030 – boosting our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower,' he said. 'We need to take back control of our energy and more offshore wind getting the green light marks a huge step forward in Britain's energy security and getting bills down for good. 'But we know there's a lot more work to do and we must go further and faster to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels and make working people better off with clean, homegrown, secure power as part of our Plan for Change.' The UK Government aims to have between 43 and 50GW of energy capacity in offshore wind by the end of the decade, with 15.9GW currently online and a further 28GW having received consent. Stephen Wheeler, the managing director of SSE Renewables, said news of the approval is 'hugely welcome'. He added: 'At over 4GW of potential capacity, Berwick Bank can play a pivotal role in meeting the mission of Clean Power 2030 for the UK and achieving Scotland's decarbonisation and climate action goals. 'Berwick Bank has the potential to rapidly scale-up Scotland's operational renewable energy capacity and can accelerate the delivery of homegrown, affordable and secure clean energy to UK consumers from Scottish offshore wind, helping meet the UK's clean power ambition by 2030.'
South Wales Argus
18 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Massive offshore wind farm approved by Scottish Government
Berwick Bank – proposed to be built off the coast of East Lothian – aims to deliver 4.1 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, which is believed to be enough to power every home in Scotland twice over and around 17% of the homes in the UK. The development will feature up to 307 turbines and have two connection points to the grid – one in Dunbar, East Lothian, and another in Blyth, Northumberland. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the approval, saying the Government had given the application 'extremely careful consideration'. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the decision had been as a result of 'extremely careful consideration' (Andrew Milligan/PA) She said: 'The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland's progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy. 'It is also an important decision for Scotland's renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland's significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas leasing rounds. 'We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.' Developers SSE Renewables will have to provide a plan to counter any impact the wind farm may have on seabirds to be approved by ministers. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the announcement means there have been enough wind farms approved in the UK to meet the Government's ambition of delivering clean power by 2030. Ed Miliband said such approval for offshore wind projects is a 'huge step forward in Britain's energy security and getting bills down for good' (PA) 'We welcome this decision, which puts us within touching distance of our offshore wind targets to deliver clean power by 2030 – boosting our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower,' he said. 'We need to take back control of our energy and more offshore wind getting the green light marks a huge step forward in Britain's energy security and getting bills down for good. 'But we know there's a lot more work to do and we must go further and faster to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels and make working people better off with clean, homegrown, secure power as part of our Plan for Change.' The UK Government aims to have between 43 and 50GW of energy capacity in offshore wind by the end of the decade, with 15.9GW currently online and a further 28GW having received consent. Stephen Wheeler, the managing director of SSE Renewables, said news of the approval is 'hugely welcome'. He added: 'At over 4GW of potential capacity, Berwick Bank can play a pivotal role in meeting the mission of Clean Power 2030 for the UK and achieving Scotland's decarbonisation and climate action goals. 'Berwick Bank has the potential to rapidly scale-up Scotland's operational renewable energy capacity and can accelerate the delivery of homegrown, affordable and secure clean energy to UK consumers from Scottish offshore wind, helping meet the UK's clean power ambition by 2030.'
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
John Swinney approves massive new offshore wind farm days after Donald Trump leaves Scotland
The US President repeatedly criticised offshore wind developments during his long weekend in Scotland. The SNP Government has announced planning approval for a massive new offshore wind farm just days after Donald Trump left Scotland. Berwick Bank – proposed to be built off the coast of East Lothian - could be one of the largest developments of its kind in the world, according to the firms involved. The development will feature up to 307 turbines and have two connection points to the grid – one in Dunbar, East Lothian, and another in Blyth, Northumberland. It aims to deliver 4.1 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, which is believed to be enough to power every home in Scotland twice over and around 17 per cent of the homes in the UK. Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister, welcomed the approval, saying the Scottish Government had given the application 'extremely careful consideration'. The approval comes just 48 hours after the US President flew back to Washington after a long weekend in Scotland. Trump repeatedly tore into wind power when speaking to the press. Speaking alongside Keir Starmer at Turnberry this week, the New Yorker said: "Wind is the most expensive form of energy and it destroys the beauty of your plains and your fields and your waterways. "Look out there, there's no windmills but if you look in another direction you see windmills, when we go to Aberdeen you'll see some of the ugliest windmills you've ever seen. They're the height of a 50-storey building. And you can take 1,000 times more energy out of a hole in the ground this big, this big, it's called oil and gas." Trump also voiced his disaproval of wind power to Swinney and Starmer during private meetings. But the Berwick Bank development was today welcomed by Forbes and the UK Government. The Deputy First Minister said: "The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland's progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy. "It is also an important decision for Scotland's renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland's significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas leasing rounds. 'We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.' Developers SSE Renewables will have to provide a plan to counter any impact the wind farm may have on seabirds to be approved by ministers. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the announcement means there have been enough wind farms approved in the UK to meet the Government's ambition of delivering clean power by 2030. 'We welcome this decision, which puts us within touching distance of our offshore wind targets to deliver clean power by 2030 – boosting our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower,' he said. 'We need to take back control of our energy and more offshore wind getting the green light marks a huge step forward in Britain's energy security and getting bills down for good. 'But we know there's a lot more work to do and we must go further and faster to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels and make working people better off with clean, homegrown, secure power as part of our Plan for Change.' The UK Government aims to have between 43 and 50GW of energy capacity in offshore wind by the end of the decade, with 15.9GW currently online and a further 28GW having received consent.
