The Scottish government has given SSE Renewables the green light for the 4100MW Berwick Bank offshore wind farm.
The permit is subject to the developer producing a “detailed sea bird compensation plan outlining how adverse impacts on seabirds will be compensated for”, according to Holyrood.
It will need approval by Scottish Ministers before the wind farm can proceed.
RSPB and other conservation groups had called for the project to be refused over claims it will have a detrimental impact on seabird populations off east Scotland.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Ministers have given the Berwick Bank wind farm application extremely careful consideration.
“The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland’s progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy.
“It is also an important decision for Scotland’s renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland’s significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing rounds.
“We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.”
Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband said the UK government welcomes the decision.
It “puts us within touching distance of our offshore wind targets to deliver clean power by 2030 – boosting our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower,” he said.
“We need to take back control of our energy and more offshore wind getting the green light marks a huge step forward in Britain’s energy security and getting bills down for good.
“But we know there’s a lot more work to do and we must go further and faster to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels and make working people better off with clean, homegrown, secure power as part of our Plan for Change.”
SSE Renewables managing director Stephen Wheeler said on LinkedIn the decision is “hugely welcome”.
“This marks the last major consent necessary for this ground-breaking project to move forward.
“I’m very proud we’ve reached this milestone in the project’s development. Our team at SSE Renewables has developed a fantastic project which will boost Scotland’s operational renewable electricity capacity by nearly 25% and that’s down to more than a decade of meticulous development and design work by our team.
“Berwick Bank Wind Farm is a truly consequential project.
“This is a major step forward for Scotland, for the UK, and for the clean energy transition.”
SSE added delivery of the project will now be subject to securing a contract for new low-carbon offshore wind power under the UK’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, as well as reaching a final investment decision.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said Berwick Bank has the potential to make a huge contribution to the UK government’s growth and clean energy missions and create clean power jobs in Scotland.
“Scotland is at the front of the race to clean energy across the UK, Berwick Bank would be the world’s biggest wind farm just off the East Lothian coast, which underlines the massive potential clean energy has to generate jobs,wealth and opportunity for Scottish families,” he said.
“These large-scale renewable energy projects will ensure people in Scotland truly benefit from clean power, lower bills, and good quality job opportunities.”