A SERIES of information events are being held across Fraserburgh, New Deer and Strichen for members of the public to find out more about an innovative floating offshore wind farm planned off the north-east coast of Scotland.
The Stromar Offshore Wind Farm project is a joint venture by industry leaders and floating wind pioneers Ørsted, BlueFloat Energy and Renantis. The proposed wind farm in the outer Moray Firth, off the coast of Caithness, will consist of up to 71 turbines in water depths of 60-100m, in a seabed area of around 265km², and could generate up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of green electricity – enough to power the equivalent needs of close to one million homes each year¹.
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The proposals include plans for the cleaner energy generated to be exported via an underground cable link coming onshore between Fraserburgh and Rosehearty before connecting to the national grid near New Deer.
Stromar could be one of the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm developments, underpinning Scotland’s potential to become a global leader in the rapidly emerging floating wind industry. As a result, it could also make a significant contribution towards the Scottish and UK Governments’ net zero targets while creating lasting career opportunities and bolstering the local supply chain.
Communities are being given the opportunity to learn more about the project, which is in the early stages of development, at a number of information events being held later this month:
- Monday March 18, from 11am to 5pm – Ritchie Hall, 30 Sleigh Crescent, Strichen, AB43 6TY
- Tuesday March 19, from 2pm to 8pm – North East Scotland College, Fraserburgh Campus (front entrance), off Henderson Road, Fraserburgh, AB43 9GA
- Wednesday March 20, from 2pm to 8pm – New Deer Public Hall, Church Crescent, New Deer, AB53 6WD
Project director, Nicholas Ritchie, said: “We look forward to welcoming the public to our events which are being held ahead of the statutory consultation process to help ensure people are fully informed and that their views are considered in the design and development of the project. These events will be a fantastic opportunity for local communities to meet the development team, learn more about the project and ask questions.
“The Stromar team is committed to genuine community involvement and as part of this, we are working in partnership with community ownership experts, Energy4All, to explore options for communities in the North-east and across Scotland to benefit from the project.”
All the information provided at the events will be available from Monday, March 18, to view through a virtual exhibition on the dedicated Stromar website where further information and updates about the project can also be found – www.stromar.co.uk
Stromar was awarded rights by Crown Estate Scotland under the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round, which could see a total of up to 28.6GW of offshore wind capacity deployed in Scottish waters, significantly contributing towards Scotland’s net zero targets.
