The Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm has taken another major step forward with the arrival of the first of 54 wind turbine nacelles at its Port of Dundee marshalling yard and the pre-assembly of the first turbine towers on land.

The Siemens Gamesa turbine towers being assembled at the Port of Dundee, will tower 87.5 metres above the ground, ahead of load out. This, and the arrival of the first eight nacelles (which sit atop each turbine tower and contain the generators), moves the project nearer to completion.

The first load out of turbine towers, nacelles and blades for transportation to the site of the 450 megawatt offshore wind farm 15.5 km off the coast of Fife is scheduled for July, followed by the installation of NnG’s first fully assembled wind turbine out at sea, also planned for July.

NnG Project Director, Matt Haag, said: 
“The construction of the first turbine towers last week was a wonderful sight and the arrival of the first nacelles demonstrates the sheer scale of this project. We look forward to the construction of the first turbine on-site next month after which, once commissioned, NnG can start supplying clean, green electricity to the grid.”

NnG, which is owned by EDF Renewables UK and ESB, will supply enough low carbon electricity for around 375,000 homes and has a capacity of around 450MW of low carbon energy. It will offset over 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. The project will be fully operational in 2024.

The NnG turbine towers – each comprising three sections and weighing in at 370 tonnes – have been visible to local people for months, being stored on their sides within the Port alongside the 81-metre-long turbine blades, which each weigh 27 tonnes. Each of the nacelles is 9.2 metres tall – equivalent to a three storey building – and weighs over 350 tonnes.

NnG Offshore Wind Farm

NnG has the potential to generate 450 MW of renewable energy, which is enough power to supply around 375,000 Scottish homes – and will offset over 400,000 tonnes of CO2   emissions each year.

The NnG site was chosen because it combines technical, economic and environmental deliverability. Some of the criteria that formed part of the site selection process included; water depth, ground condition, expected energy yield, access to port facilities and more.

NnG won a Contract for Difference (CfD) in 2015, providing the windfarm with an inflation-linked strike price for the electricity it produces for a period of 15 years.

EDF Renewables UK acquired the project in May 2018 as part of a competitive bidding process and ESB acquired a 50% in November 2019.

Key Facts

• EDF Renewables bought the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm project (NnG) in May 2018 and it is expected to be fully operational in 2023.
• ESB purchased 50% of the project in November 2019.
• The wind farm will produce up to 450 MW of low carbon energy and will have a maximum of 54 turbines.
• NnG will provide power for around 375,000 homes and will offset more than 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: EDF Renewables