UK: Seagreen Wind Energy Holds Public Consultations for Firth of Forth Offshore Wind Farm

Seagreen Wind Energy, a joint venture partnership between SSE and Fluor, has held public consultation exhibitions in May on the Phase 1 of the Firth of Forth Offshore Wind Farm Zone, the Courier informed.

The consultations where held in Montrose, Arbroath, Carnoustie, Dundee and Tealing.

The main concerns of the public were raised over the visual impact of the wind turbines.

Chris Bell from Scottish and Southern Energy, said: ”It’s something that a lot of people have been asking about. We are 27km at the closest point to land in Angus and I think it will be difficult to see anything from land in most weather conditions.

”People are interested in what they will actually see of the project and what the aesthetic impact will be. They have been reassured that the route across land will be underground, although there will be a need for some infrastructure at Tealing.”

The company held the first round of public exhibitions in January 2011. These events have shown their refined plans for both the offshore and onshore infrastructure, required for Phase 1 of the project, which are in advance of consent application, scheduled for submission in August 2012

The plans include initial 150 turbines to be constructed 17 miles off the Angus coast.

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Offshore WIND staff, May 22, 2012; Image: seagreenwindenergy