North East MSP Mike Rumbles has today (Thurs 21st) welcomed confirmation that Swedish energy firm Vattenfall will press ahead with a £300m 11-turbine offshore wind farm near Blackdog.

Mr Rumbles said: “This is very welcome news for the North East’s energy supply chain, investment in North Sea industry, and jobs in the area. Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group and Vattenfall have made a concrete commitment to investing in offshore renewables in the North East and this facility will be the largest of its kind in Scotland. I am very much looking forward to seeing work start on the project later this year.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

• Onshore construction for the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) is due to start later this year.
• Work offshore is due to commence in late 2017, with the project scheduled to generate its first power in 2018.
• Vattenfall said the offshore wind test and demonstration facility would be the largest of its kind in Scotland.
• It now owns 100% of the planned development near Blackdog after buying Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group's 25% share for an undisclosed amount.