© Supplied by DCT Media/Muir Mhòr The developers behind the 1 GW Muir Mhòr offshore wind farm have passed a major planning milestone after securing onshore consent from Aberdeenshire Council.
The local authority’s infrastructure services committee backed the ScotWind project’s plans to connect to the National Grid, with Scottish ministers still assessing the offshore component of the floating wind farm.
Muir Mhòr said it is now the first fully floating ScotWind project to achieve its onshore planning consent.
Swedish firm Vattenfall is developing Muir Mhòr in a joint venture with Norwegian firm Fred Olsen Seawind.
If Scottish ministers approve the offshore component, Muir Mhòr’s planned 67 floating turbines could start generating power by 2030.
Located approximately 63km off the coast of Peterhead, the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power around 1.2 million average homes each year.
Muir Mhòr offshore wind farm project director David Hinshelwood said securing onshore planning consent is a “very important moment” for the developers.
“Our submission followed a long period of consultation where we listened carefully to those impacted by our development, took on board their feedback, and made adjustments,” Hinshelwood said.
“Muir Mhòr is leading the way to a clean energy future, becoming the first fully floating offshore wind farm from the 2022 ScotWind leasing round to be granted onshore consent.
“In doing so, we are supporting the ambitions of governments in Scotland and the UK to be a world leader in floating offshore wind, and a clean energy superpower.”
Muir Mhòr onshore consents manager Rachel Baird said the decision by Aberdeenshire Council to grant approval “is the culmination of a lot of hard work by our team”.
“Throughout the process we have sought to be as transparent as possible about our plans, holding multiple consultation events in Peterhead and Longside, speaking to residents and businesses, answering their questions, and gathering their feedback,” Baird said.
