The Highland Council has approved the onshore plans for the 2GW West of Orkney offshore wind project off Scotland’s northern coast.
The council’s North Planning Applications Committee approved the project’s onshore application for planning permission in principle, which outlines the underground cables and electrical infrastructure required to connect the offshore wind farm to the national transmission network.
The onshore application provides information on proposed cable landfalls on the north Caithness coast, the project’s substation at Spittal in Caithness and the underground cables which will extend around 25 km and connect to the substation.
In preparation for the application, the developer organised 33 public events, meeting over 2400 residents across Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney in order to allow local people to actively participate and engage with the project’s design.
The application was accompanied by environmental assessments based on survey data collected over two and a half years.
Construction of the offshore wind farm will commence construction in 2027 and will begin generating electricity in 2029.
In 2022 the project secured the development rights to an area of seabed from Crown Estate Scotland in the ScotWind leasing round to develop an offshore windfarm 30 km west of Orkney and 25 km north of the Sutherland coast.
The West of Orkney Windfarm will have up to 125 turbines on fixed foundations and is being developed by a joint venture comprising Corio Generation, TotalEnergies and Renewable Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG).
Last year, the project became the first ScotWind proposal to submit both its offshore consent application to Scottish Ministers and its onshore planning application to The Highland Council.
West of Orkney Windfarm Development Manager Jack Farnham said: “We would like to thank local residents and community representatives, landowners and businesses across the Highlands for their time and input on our proposals.
“Community feedback helped us shape and deliver our application.
“The officers’ report and members positive decision ensures we can continue to realise the local, regional and national benefits from the West of Orkney Windfarm.
“The onshore connection is a vital component of the offshore windfarm and will enable us to export clean electricity to homes and businesses across the country.
“The cables to our substation will all be underground and once installed, the land will be reinstated.”
The project is still awaiting a decision on its offshore consent from the Scottish Government.