Aberdeenshire residents given opportunity to influence early stages of Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm
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Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm, a proposed 2GW project being developed in the Moray Firth, is holding a series of public consultation events across Aberdeenshire to gather feedback on its onshore infrastructure including an underground transmission cable and a new electricity substation south of New Deer.
Events will allow local communities to learn more and share their thoughts on the development’s onshore infrastructure plans and its approach to the Environment Impact Assessment process.
Events will be held from 12-7pm across three days and three locations:
• Banff (Banff Springs Hotel - June 20),
• Turriff (Fife Arms Hotel – June 21)
• New Deer (St Kane’s Church Centre – June 22).
A virtual consultation is also available for those unable to attend the events.
Feedback can be provided at: https://caledonia.virtual-engage.com/
Submitted to Aberdeenshire Council in November 2022, the scoping report outlines proposals for the required onshore infrastructure elements and installation work.
This infrastructure ensures the energy at the offshore site is delivered to the onshore National Grid point and onto consumers.
The proposed infrastructure will consist of an underground cable landfall site on the Aberdeenshire coast, a new electricity substation in the vicinity of New Deer and an underground cable route connecting the two sites.
All land will be reinstated following the installation works and the only visible element will be the new electricity substation.
Mark Baxter, Project Director for Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm, commented: “Following the positive reception of our proposals for the offshore aspects of the project last year, this year we will be introducing the onshore elements of the project which are vital to get power to the homes and businesses where it will be used.
“We know Caledonia is of significant interest to local communities and the team is committed to consulting extensively to ensure these views are taken onboard throughout to inform project development.”
Once fully commissioned – expected in 2030 – Caledonia will nearly double the Moray Firth’s ability to supply low-cost, low-carbon electricity, with expected capacity meeting the average electricity needs of around two million homes.
