The Highland Council has given its support to the West of Orkney Windfarm’s offshore proposals, marking a significant milestone for the multi-billion pound project.
Yesterday the council’s committee agreed to endorse the developer’s comprehensive offshore consent application, first submitted to Scottish Ministers in October 2023.
Spanning up to two gigawatts of potential generating capacity, the West of Orkney Windfarm will be located 30 kilometres west of the Orkney Mainland and 25 kilometres north of the Sutherland coast.
The offshore consent application features detailed construction plans and an environmental assessment praised by NatureScot for its clarity.
The Highland Council’s approval follows their decision in June last year to grant planning permission in principle for onshore components, including underground cables and necessary electrical infrastructure.
The ultimate determination on the offshore consent now lies with Scottish Ministers, who will weigh the Marine Directorate Licensing Operations Team’s recommendations and comments from consultees.
Once operational, the West of Orkney Windfarm is set to have up to 125 fixed-foundation turbines, contributing to Scotland’s pursuit of clean power by 2030.
