Buchan Offshore Wind Consults Local Communities on Updated Proposals for Floating Offshore Wind Farm

Buchan Offshore Wind Consults Local Communities on Updated Proposals for Floating Offshore Wind Farm

Buchan Offshore Wind, a proposed new floating offshore wind project 75km off the coast of Fraserburgh, is holding its second round of local consultation events next week as it seeks further feedback on its plans.

The project has the potential to make a significant contribution to Scotland’s and the UK’s renewable energy ambitions, with up to 70 floating turbines being deployed.  The development would generate the equivalent of the annual power demand of 1.4 million homes.

If the wind farm gets the go-ahead it could see more than £1.4bn invested in Scotland’s manufacturing sector and supply chain, with some 2,800 jobs in Scotland at the peak of construction and 320 ongoing jobs during its 30-year lifetime.

The wind farm’s export cable would come ashore south of Rattray head, and underground cables would then transport the energy to a new project substation in the Peterhead area.  The project would connect to the electricity transmission network at the existing SSEN Peterhead substation.

Speaking ahead of the events, Ian Simms, Head of Consents for the project, said:

“Last year we consulted with local people on our preferred landfall point, onshore cable route options, onshore substation site options, and our planned offshore scheme. We have considered all feedback received and since then have developed our plans in more detail.

“We are now holding a second round of public consultation to update local people and stakeholders on how our proposals have developed and seek their feedback to help us progress our proposals.

“The information gained will feed into the next phases of design as we seek to finalise our plans for the project and submit our applications for consent to Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Government next year.”

Details of the consultation events are as follows:

  • 2pm-7pm, Tuesday 26 November: St Fergus Village Hall AB42 3QD

  • 2pm - 7pm, Wednesday 27 November: Dalrymple Hall, Fraserburgh AB43 9BD

  • 2pm – 7pm, Thursday 28 November: Peterhead Football Club AB42 1EQ

Consultation materials and feedback forms will also be available on the project website from Monday 25 November to Friday 20 December 2024.

Buchan Offshore Wind is already supporting a number of local community projects and initiatives, including its partnership with Peterhead FC’s Community Foundation which funds the employment of a coach to support local children with education, health and wellbeing. Earlier this year, it was announced that it will be sponsoring expansion of the University of the Highlands and Islands STEM Programme to provide extra science, technology, engineering and maths activities in 31 primary schools across north Aberdeenshire, including Fraserburgh and Peterhead.

Graham Repper