The EDF Group and Irish energy company ESB have initiated construction on the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind project in the North Sea approximately 9 miles off the coast of Fife in southeast Scotland.
NnG will consist of 54 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SG 8.0-167 DD turbines (8 MW), with a 167-meter rotor diameter and 208-meter tip height. When fully operational, the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power over 375,000 households each year, which corresponds to 4% of Scotland’s electricity consumption.
The wind project has a 15-year contract for difference at £114.39/MWh, and grid connection agreements are also in place.
“We are pleased to get work under way with our new partner ESB and all Scottish companies and stakeholders involved,” says Bruno Bensasson, chairman and CEO of EDF Renewables. “The 450 MW NnG project will play an important role in de-carbonizing the U.K. electricity system.”
In addition to Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy as the wind turbine supplier, additional vendors include Saipem (turbine foundation supplier and installer), GE Renewable Energy Grid Solutions (supply of two electrical substations, plus electrical design wor), Prysmian SRL (supply and installation of export cables, both offshore and onshore), Deme Offshore (EPC contractor and installation of inter-turbine cables with offshore installation), and Fred Olsen Windcarrier (turbine transportation and installation).
Foundation jackets will be built by Scottish engineering firm BiFab. The wind turbine generators will be assembled at the Port of Dundee. Eyemouth Harbour has been selected as preferred supplier to operate and service the wind farm over its 25-year lifetime.
The construction of components is now under way, and offshore construction will start in June 2020. EDF and ESB anticipate full commissioning in 2023.
