European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox power station
| name = European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre
| name_official =
| image =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|57|13|N|1|59|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = Scotland
| location = Aberdeen's Bay
| status = O
| construction_began =
| commissioned = {{start date|2018|09}}
| decommissioned =
| owner = European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre
| operator =
| wind_farm_type = Offshore
| wind_offshore_distance = {{cvt|3|km|0}}
| wind_rated_speed =
| ps_units_operational =
| ps_units_manu_model = Vestas V164 8.4-8.8MW
| ps_units_uc =
| ps_units_planned = 11 × 8.5 MW
| ps_units_decommissioned =
| ps_electrical_capacity = 92.4
| ps_electrical_cap_fac =
| ps_annual_generation =
| website =
}}
{{maplink
|frame=yes
|frame-height=220
|frame-lat=57.2252
|frame-long=-1.9912
|zoom=11
|text=Wind farm layout
|from=Wind turbines European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre.map
}}
The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), also known as the Aberdeen Bay Wind Farm{{cite web|title=Aberdeen Bay Wind Farm generates £23.3million in first six months|website=Aberdeen Bay Wind Farm generates £23.3million in first six months|quote=Aberdeen Bay Wind Farm [..] The 11-turbine project, also known as the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC)|url=https://www.energyvoice.com/otherenergy/211960/aberdeen-bay-wind-farm-generates-23-3million-in-first-six-months-operating/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220174236/https://www.energyvoice.com/otherenergy/211960/aberdeen-bay-wind-farm-generates-23-3million-in-first-six-months-operating/|archive-date=20 December 2019}} is an offshore wind test and demonstration facility located around 3 kilometres off the east coast of Aberdeenshire, in the North Sea, Scotland. It was developed by the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre consortium.{{citation| url=http://www.vattenfall.co.uk/en/aberdeen-bay.htm | title=European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre | publisher=Vattenfall | access-date=29 July 2014 }} The scheme is relatively small - it consists of 11 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 93.2 megawatts. It is located between Blackdog and Bridge of Don near Aberdeen. First power was generated in July 2018,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-44681278 |title=Aberdeen wind farm opposed by Donald Trump generates first power}} with full commissioning following in September 2018.{{cite news|author=|title=Aberdeen offshore wind project opposed by Trump officially opening|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-45446189|work=BBC News|location=NE Scotland, Orkney & Shetland|date=7 September 2018|access-date=9 September 2018}}
Planning
The wind farm was initially proposed by the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) in 2003.{{citation| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3109206.stm | title=Offshore wind farm plan unveiled | work=BBC News | date=15 September 2003 }} The original plan was for 20 two-megawatt turbines in an eight kilometres long row about 1 kilometre offshore. A geological survey of Aberdeen Bay was begun in 2007,{{citation| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6272740.stm | title=Sea survey for offshore wind farm | work=BBC News | date=5 July 2007 }} and a grant of 40 million euros was offered by the European Commission in 2009.{{citation| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8037404.stm | title=Offshore wind farm given EC boost | work=BBC News | date=7 May 2009 }} The proposal at that stage was for a maximum of 23 turbines.
A planning application was lodged in August 2011.{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14408064 | title=Wind farm project application for Aberdeen Bay | work=BBC News | date=5 August 2011 }} The application was submitted by Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) in cooperation with two other companies, Vattenfall and Technip. The proposal was for 11 turbines. Planning consent was granted by the Scottish government in March 2013.{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-21938247 | title=Consent for Donald Trump row wind farm announced | work=BBC News | date=26 March 2013 }}
In May 2013 Vattenfall announced plans to reduce its stake in the project.{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-22487325 | title=Aberdeen wind farm partner Vattenfall to reduce stake | work=BBC News | date=10 May 2013 }} In October 2013 Aberdeenshire councillors rejected a planning application to build an electricity substation.{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-24734205 | title=Plans for wind test centre off Aberdeen suffers setback | work=BBC News | date=29 October 2013 }} In December 2013 it was announced that construction would be delayed for two years, with connection of the grid occurring in 2017.{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-25235959 | title=Offshore wind farm plan opposed by Donald Trump is delayed | work=BBC News | date=5 December 2013 }} In January 2014 an appeal against the substation vote was lodged.{{citation| url=http://news.stv.tv/north/260306-vattenfall-have-appealed-against-council-decision-over-blackdog-substations/ | title=Energy giant to appeal rejection of £230m Aberdeen Bay wind farm | publisher=STV | date=14 January 2014 }} The developers won the appeal in July 2014.{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-28444474 | title=Substation near Donald Trump golf course to go ahead | work=BBC News | date=23 July 2014 }}
Vattenfall decided to proceed with the 92 MW wind farm in July 2016.{{cite web |title=Vattenfall to invest £300m in Aberdeen offshore wind farm |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-36854835 |website=BBC News |access-date=30 June 2021 |date=2016-07-21}} The plan was for 11 turbines each of 8 MW placed 3 km from land,{{cite web|url= http://www.4coffshore.com/windfarms/aberdeen-offshore-wind-farm-united-kingdom-uk47.html |title= Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm |website= 4coffshore.com |access-date= 2017-03-05}} with a contract for the assembly of suction bucket foundations for the turbines contracted out to Smulders Projects UK.{{cite news|url= https://www.energyvoice.com/otherenergy/130374/130374/ |title= English firm Smulders wins Aberdeen Bay wind farm deal |website= energyvoice.com |first= Keith |last= Findlay |date= 2017-02-01 |access-date= 2017-03-05}}
{{Panorama|image=European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (from Newburgh beach).jpg|height=130px|caption=All eleven turbines of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre.}}
Objections
File:Oil_Rig_Supply_Boats_at_the_Aberdeen_Anchorage_Point_._(49765361102).jpg
{{main|Trump International Golf Club Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers}}
American billionaire Donald Trump purchased a large part of the Menie estate near the village of Balmedie in 2006. He proposed to build a golf course, with a hotel, holiday homes and a residential village.{{citation| url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/first-look-at-trump-plan-for-world-s-best-course-1.1007048?54107 | title=First look at Trump plan for 'world's best course' | publisher=HeraldScotland | date=16 February 2010 }} He expressed his concerns about the wind farm in April 2006 stating that "I want to see the ocean, I do not want to see windmills."{{citation| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/5008624.stm | title=Fears over Trump's golfing plans | work=BBC News | date=24 May 2006 }}
In 2006 RSPB Scotland expressed concern about the effect both the wind farm and Donald Trump's golf course would have on the wildlife on the Aberdeenshire coast. In 2011 the RSPB called for "more planning, research and monitoring ... to ensure we truly understand the impact this site may have on local birds."{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-15538505 | title=RSPB Scotland objection to Aberdeen offshore wind farm | work=BBC News | date=1 November 2011 }}
In September 2011 the Trump Organization filed an objection to the planning application.{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14923612 | title=Donald Trump sends wind farm complaint to Alex Salmond | work=BBC News | date=14 September 2011 }}
By 2012 the RSPB dropped its opposition to the wind farm following the reduction in the number of turbines and a change in the layout."{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-19848894 | title=Donald Trump in fresh Aberdeen wind farm attack | work=BBC News | date=5 October 2012 }}
In May 2013 Trump launched a legal challenge against the Scottish government's decision to grant planning permission for the wind farm.{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-22540249 | title=Donald Trump launches legal challenge to wind farm decision | work=BBC News | date=16 May 2013 }} The hearing began at the Court of Session in November 2013,{{citation| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-24909370 | title=Donald Trump challenge to Aberdeenshire wind turbines begins | work=BBC News | date=12 November 2013 }} but was rejected in February 2014.{{citation| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10632178/Donald-Trump-loses-court-battle-against-offshore-wind-farm.html | title=Donald Trump loses court battle against offshore wind farm | publisher=The Daily Telegraph | date=11 February 2014 }} An appeal against the decision was heard at the Court of Session in January 2015,{{cite news|url=http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/local/trump-and-windfarm-team-face-courtroom-battle-over-aberdeen-turbines-plan-1.797187|title=Trump and windfarm team face courtroom battle over Aberdeen turbines plan |date=20 January 2015 |publisher=Evening Express}} but Trump lost the appeal in June 2015.{{citation | url=http://news.stv.tv/north/1322381-donald-trump-loses-battle-over-aberdeen-bay-wind-farm-near-golf-course/ | title=Billionaire Donald Trump loses legal battle over offshore wind farm | publisher=STV | date=5 June 2015 | access-date=22 July 2015 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090145/http://news.stv.tv/north/1322381-donald-trump-loses-battle-over-aberdeen-bay-wind-farm-near-golf-course/ | url-status=dead }} After the decision Trump said he would appeal before both the Supreme Court of the UK and the European Courts. Trump's appeal was unanimously dismissed by the UK Supreme Court in December 2015.Trump International Golf Club Scotland Limited v The Scottish Ministers [2015] [http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2015/74.html UKSC 74]
Construction
File:Aberdeen Bay Wind Farm (contrast crop).jpg
Connection work began in early 2017. The turbines are mounted on unusual suction bucket foundations. The sea cables are 66kV.{{cite web |last1=Foxwell |first1=David |title=Planning ahead speeds construction of EOWDC |url=https://www.owjonline.com/news/view,planning-ahead-and-planning-for-every-eventuality-speeds-construction-of-uk-test-centre_52149.htm |website=www.owjonline.com |access-date=16 April 2019 |date=18 June 2018}} There are more than four miles of high voltage underground cable between the substation in Dyce (on the outskirts of Aberdeen) and the wind farm's onshore substation at Blackdog.{{cite news|url= https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/main-players/donald-trump-opposed-wind-farm-in-aberdeen-bay-connected-to-grid-1-4717779 |title=Donald Trump-opposed wind farm in Aberdeen Bay connected to grid|publisher=The Scotsman|date=3 April 2018}} The first foundation was installed offshore in March 2018,{{cite news|url= https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/uk/first-foundation-installed-for-pioneering-offshore-wind-project/ |title=First foundation installed for pioneering offshore wind project|publisher=Aberdeen Evening Express|date=26 March 2018}} and the first turbine was installed in April.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-43713529 |title=First European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre turbine installed|work=BBC News|date=10 April 2018}} The eleventh and final turbine was erected near the end of May.{{cite news|url= http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16254263.Wind_farm_that_was_opposed_by_Donald_Trump_fitted_with_final_turbine/ |title=Wind farm that was opposed by Donald Trump fitted with final turbine|publisher=The Herald|date=28 May 2018}} First power was generated in July 2018, with full commissioning following in September 2018.
See also
{{Portal|Scotland|Weather|Renewable energy}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://corporate.vattenfall.co.uk/projects/wind-energy-projects/european-offshore-wind-deployment-centre/ Project website]
- [http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Licensing/marine/scoping/EOWDC Government documents]
- [http://www.aberdeenrenewables.com/about-areg/activities/european-offshore-wind-deployment-centre-eowdc/ Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group]
- [http://www.4coffshore.com/windfarms/aberdeen-offshore-wind-farm-united-kingdom-uk47.html Technical details], 4c
{{Wind power in the United Kingdom}}
{{Electricity generation in Scotland}}
Category:Wind farms in Scotland
Category:Offshore wind farms in the North Sea
Category:Buildings and structures in Aberdeenshire
Category:Economy of Aberdeenshire