Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (BOWL) will be holding public consultation events this week in Moray to engage with local residents on the detailed planning application covering the onshore transmission work connected with the Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm project.
The Beatrice Offshore wind farm, situated in the Outer Moray Firth 13.5km from the Caithness Coast, is expected to connect to the national grid in Moray. The offshore cable is proposed to land at Portgordon, and is expected to connect from there, via underground cables, at Blackhillock substation, near Keith.
An application for planning permission in principal was granted for the proposed grid route in February 2013 by Moray Council. BOWL has now submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for a detailed planning application for the grid route which is expected to be submitted to Moray Council’s planning department in early 2015.
To allow local residents to view the detailed route, speak to members of the project team and provide feedback on the grid connection plans before the submission of the application, two drop-in public consultation events will be held in Portgordon and Keith:
Kirstanne McDowall, Community Liaison Manager for BOWL stated:
“Progressing a detailed planning application for the BOWL grid route marks another important milestone in the progress of the Beatrice Offshore wind farm project. We look forward to engaging with local residents in relation to our plans and hearing their feedback on the project.”
Subject to a positive final investment decision, the Beatrice project, which was consented by Marine Scotland in March 2014, and granted an Investment Contract by the UK government in May 2014, is planned for construction in 2016. As well as generating up to 664MW of renewable electricity if constructed, the project is expected to bring a range of socio economic benefits to both the Moray and Highland regions including job creation, skills training opportunities and opportunities for local businesses through SSE’s Open4Business online portal.