Only days after the announcement of the construction of ‘the largest tidal energy project in the world’ in the Pentland Firth, the news that wind farms powered 4 million Scottish homes last month and the report of the launch of a prototype of a revolutionary new type of floating multi turbine platform to be sited near Dounreay, we hear more good news and, interestingly, that the latter may not require much further thought as the Scottish Government approves an application to develop a huge floating wind farm off the coast of Aberdeenshire. Reported in Scottish Construction Now today:
‘The green light has been given to Kincardine Offshore to build the world’s largest floating wind array, consisting of up to eight 6MW semi-submersible turbines, which will operate 15km off the coast of Kincardineshire. The first turbine of the 50MW array is expected to be on site in the second quarter of 2018.’
According to the report, this will be just the beginning of a new era in reliable renewable energy production, create 110 jobs and reduce CO2 emissions by around 90 000 tonnes per year. The advantages of this technology can be found in a previous piece:
Two Massive Investments Confirmed for Skye and Dounreay
This kind of development, along with the land-based wind farms and the marine turbine fields shows that the Scottish Government target of generating half of our energy from renewables by 2030 may prove too modest an aim.
http://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/17882/government-approval-for-kincardine-floating-wind-farm/
As floating wind farms tend to be located well out to sea and thus out of sight, we must assume Donald Trump did not object. I do wonder if it’s the aesthetics of wind farms that worry him or a fear of the effect that one, too close, may have on his hair.
Talking-up Scotland 
More positive news for Scotland.
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It’s there if they’d (Reporting Scotland) look for it and report it fairly
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Don’t see what you’re excited about. The turbines are German and the float system is Spanish. Scottish industrial benefit will therefore be minimal.
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I share your regret about these issues but my point was more about energy supply.
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Which is always a useful response when chasing policy outcomes not economic or industrial ones. However, it doesn’t wash. I fail to see how Scotland can grow a higher value exporting economy if it ignores its failure to exploit these markets.
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Dick Winchester. Currently any additional generating capacity in Scotland is to be welcomed. New base load is required after Longannet closing and the two Nuclear stations having a limited lifespan. However energy policy is a reserved matter. Westminister’s grid connection charging policy has stopped Scottish Power from building a much needed new build gas powered station.
An industrial policy requires an Energy policy. Westminister is enforcing an energy policy that denies Scotland required baseload capacity.
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Dick
The float system is a Cobra Semi-Spar concrete structure. Are you sure it will not be constructed in Scotland.
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Dick Winchester is your real name! I took for granted that it was a Terry Thomas-like, hyper-English-sounder just for a laugh. The Dick Winchester Agency: Specialists in Marital Infidelity Surveillance. My name is so boring!
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Dick, absolutely but who exactly should be doing it?
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There is considerable activity in wind turbine field in Scotland
Siemens, Livingstone
Samsung, Fife
Mitsubishi, Hunterston
King span (Proven) Stewarton
Dong Energy, Campbletown
Gaia , Port Dundas, Glasgow
Gamesa, Bellshill
BIFAB Fife / Stornaway
Scottish Power (Iberdrola)
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Also, it isn’t just about power and industry, Scotland is fast becoming a world-leader in positive action in renewables, it is being held up as a ‘good example’ for tackling climate change (which is real! All reputable scientists agree). International standing is important for Scotland, it reminds the wider world that we are a distinct country. The more people working in the industry the more skills we have for export (‘services’ count don’t they?). Importing parts can be a good thing (nearly indulged in a double-negative there!) – it keeps trade relationships alive and makes it easier to get deals on our exports.
There ARE negatives to floating windfarms, say problems for shipping or the large cost of maintenance or lifespan issues of the turbines, but importing parts from Europe that we don’t have the industrial capacity to build ourselves is not one of them at this moment in time. If Thatcher had not destroyed so much of the industry, or if Scotland had had control of its own economy for the past 300 years, then maybe we would have had, but that is not the case.
On another topic, how do I tell what is reserved and what is not? I have a broad idea of what is and isn’t, but it gets confusing when bits of things are, but the rest not (e.g. Some welfare benefits, or so-called tax raising so-called powers). Few news articles clarify, and politicians just muddy the waters. The overall reserved matter can have huge consequences on the little devolved bit, so it is relevant to know that, and for understanding what is being reported. And I just want to scream incoherently whenever i see ‘Scotland’s deficit’ how can you have a deficit if you don’t control the economy?! Well, there is one way to solve these woes… Do you think Scotland could have a hugely simplified tax system, one a five-year-old could understand? Or is that just airy fairy wishful thinking?
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