The 450MW Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind project covering an area of around 105km2, situated about 15km off the Fife coast and in water depths of 45-55m will consist of 64 to 125 wind turbines to produce clean energy.
The NnG offshore wind farm is expected to produce enough electricity to power 325,000 homes or address the 3.7% of Scotland’s electricity demand once it is fully operational in 2016.
The application will be open for consultation till 10 September and following consent, construction of the NnG wind project will begin in 2015.
Mainstream Renewable Power Offshore Business chief executive Andy Kinsella said it is a major milestone in the delivery of this offshore wind farm.
"This project is of strategic importance to Scotland; not only will it supply a significant percentage of the country’s electricity demand it will also help to deliver Scotland’s and the UK’s renewable energy targets in advance of 2020," Kinsella added.
Mainstream Renewable has secured a grid connection for the wind farm in 2010 and an agreement for lease with The Crown Estate and is expecting to reach financial close in 2013.
The Scottish Government’s Strategic Environmental Assessment has identified the site as one of only six in the current Scottish Territorial Waters programme suitable for the development of the project.
