EOWDC 2 – Trump 0

Donald Trump has lost its latest legal challenge over an 11-turbine wind farm offshore Aberdeen.

This was the second challenge to the approval of Vattenfall’s up to 100MW offshore wind project by Scottish ministers.

Trump argued the wind turbines are ugly and would ruin the view from his Aberdeen golf resort.

However, Scotland’s most senior judge, Lord Gill, ruled today that the earlier decision to dismiss the challenge had been legal and that there was no pre-determination and no bias during consideration of the project.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “Scottish Ministers are pleased that the court has found in their favour.

“Ministers are happy to see that the courts have vindicated the Scottish government’s decision making process and found that the painstaking work of Marine Scotland staff was both fair and reasonable.”

The project is being developed by Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd (AOWFL), a joint venture between Vattenfall and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), with Technip as a partner.

Andy Paine, project director for the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) and head of offshore wind development in the UK at Vattenfall, also welcomed the ruling: “We are obviously pleased that the Scottish Courts have yet again supported the EOWDC, a much needed investment in Scotland’s and the North East’s energy infrastructure.

“The decision by the Scottish Courts brings closer a technologically-advanced offshore wind sector supporting a sustainable and secure energy supply at lower cost. The EOWDC will also prove to be an integral, flagship project for Aberdeen City and Shire’s enterprising Energetica initiative, positioning the region as a renewables leader.”