Neart na Gaoithe O shore Figure 1: Location of proposed Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm Neart na Gaoithe Off shore Wind Farm In February 2009, Mainstream Renewable Power was awarded a licence to develop the Neart na Gaoithe off shore wind farm. The proposed wind farm will be located approximately 15.5km from Fife Ness and 28km from Thorntonloch Beach in (Figure 1). The wind farm will be made up of 75 turbines rated at 6MW each. Neart na Gaoithe will generate enough electricity to power more than 325,000 homes – equivalent to the number of homes in Edinburgh.

Key facts Mainstream’s aim is to develop an environmentally and socially responsible project. The Neart na Gaoithe site was chosen because it combines • Capacity: 450 megawatt (MW) technical, economic and environmental deliverability. The criteria which • Number of turbines: 75 formed part of the site selection process included; assessment of potential • Maximum turbine height: 197 metres (m) (Figure 2) human, biological and physical environmental sensitivities, water depth, ground conditions, metocean conditions and more. • Site area: 105 km2

• Water depth: between 45m and 55m Turbines will be attached to the seabed using either steel jacket or gravity base foundations. One off shore substation will be required within the wind 6MW – Height to tip up to 197m farm site.

London Eye 135m Connection to the National Grid will be made at Crystal Rig wind farm in Glasgow Science Centre Tower 127m Lammermuir Hills, East Lothian. It is anticipated that onshore construction Big Ben Tower 96.3m will start in 2015, with fi rst generation expected in 2017.

Average House 7m

Figure 2: Wind turbine dimensions compared to known landmarks About Mainstream Renewable Power

Mainstream Renewable Power is a global renewable energy company developing over 17GW in onshore and offshore wind farms and solar parks. In addition to the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, Mainstream is also developing the 1.2GW Horizont project in Germany and the 6GW Hornsea zone in English waters as SMart Wind – a 50/50 joint venture between Mainstream and Siemens.

Met mast at the 6GW Hornsea zone About Mainstream Renewable Power Background to the Project

Mainstream Renewable Power is a global renewable energy company developing In 2008, Mainstream applied for a licence in The Crown Estate’s Scottish Territorial over 17GW in onshore and offshore wind farms and solar parks. In addition to the Waters tender process to develop a site in in the outer Firth of Forth. In Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, Mainstream is also developing the 1.2GW February 2009, Mainstream was awarded the exclusive rights to develop this site, Horizont project in Germany and the 6GW Hornsea zone in English waters as Neart na Gaoithe (Gaelic for ‘Strength of the Wind’). A grid connection was secured SMart Wind – a 50/50 joint venture between Mainstream and Siemens. in 2010 and the Agreement for Lease was signed with The Crown Estate in 2011, effectively securing an option for the rights to use the seabed.

Over the last number of years, Mainstream has developed the site conducting extensive environmental studies and surveys, and has undertaken community consultations in Fife, Angus and East Lothian.

Recent Progress In June 2013, Mainstream was granted onshore consent from East Lothian Council for the onshore grid connection elements of the project. Neart na Gaoithe was the first wind farm of those being developed in Scottish Waters to gain detailed planning permission for a grid connection.

In July 2012 the offshore consent application was submitted to Marine Scotland. Subsequently, an Addendum of Supplementary Environmental Information was submitted to Marine Scotland in June 2013 and published for consultation. This addendum includes a reduction in maximum turbine numbers and increased minimum rotor heights. A decision on the offshore consent application is expected in mid-2014. Electrical Transmission System The turbines will be located over 35km from the grid connection point at Crystal Rig in East Lothian and will be connected via buried High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) cables both offshore and onshore. Figure 3 below shows the key components of an HVAC transmission system.

Within the wind farm, a number of ’inter-array’ cables will connect the turbines to an offshore substation. ‘Export cables’ will be located between the offshore substation and the landfall at Thorntonloch Beach in East Lothian. Close to the landfall, the export cables will connect to onshore cables which will be buried between the coast and a new substation, located adjacent to an existing substation at Crystal Rig onshore wind farm. Offshore substation

Key components of HVAC transmission system •• Inter-array cables • Offshore substation Offshore • National Grid Onshore Substation Substation Substation •• Export cables Transition Pit •• Onshore cables •• Onshore substation North Sea

Existing Overhead Line Onshore Cable Onshore Cable Export Cable Inter-Array Cable

Figure 3: HVAC transmission system Onshore Grid Connection

In June 2013, Mainstream was granted planning consent by East Lothian Council for the onshore works to connect the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm to the National Grid.

The onshore grid connection comprises 12.3km of buried cable between Thorntonloch Beach where the subsea cable is planned to reach shore, and Crystal Rig onshore wind farm in the Lammermuir Hills, where the grid connection would be made, Figure 4 shows the application boundary. The consent includes a new substation (Figure 5) to be constructed at Crystal Rig, adjacent to an existing substation.

Whilst there will be some visual impact and disturbance during the construction phase, all land along the cable route will be restored to its previous condition following construction.

Figure 4: Application boundary for the onshore works.

Figure 5: Visual representation of the new substation. Offshore Consent In July 2012, an application was submitted to Marine Scotland, a department of the Scottish Government, for consent of the offshore works. The submission was made under the Electricity Act 1989 (section 36 Consent and the Marine Scotland Act 2010 (Marine Licence). The application was supported by an Environmental Statement (ES) which sets out the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

An EIA is a well-defined process for identifying and assessing the potential environmental effects of a proposed project. The emphasis is on avoiding, reducing and offsetting potential effects through, for example, siting or design of the project and the turbines.

Consultation and engagement with stakeholders is a critical aspect of the EIA process. Throughout the EIA process and during the continuing design for the proposed wind farm there has been extensive liaison with stakeholders and interested parties. This has included meeting with regulatory and special interest bodies on individual topics, such as commercial fisheries, as well as more widely through public consultations and exhibitions.

In order to quantify the effects the proposed development may have, it is necessary to understand the baseline conditions. Between 2010 and 2012 a number of surveys were carried out to better understand the existing, physical, biological and human baseline conditions of the proposed wind Figure 6: Harbour Seal Tracking Data farm location and surrounding region. The findings of these baseline studies were incorporated into the EIA. Figure 6 shows an example of a map used to track harbour seals as part of the baseline data collection. Offshore Physical Environment and Resource

To understand the attributes of the offshore physical environment, Mainstream commissioned both desk and field based studies to assess the wind resource, sea and weather conditions and the seabed type and substrate.

Studies investigating the seabed ground conditions of the site were In April 2014, Mainstream deployed a floating LiDAR (FLiDAR) at the undertaken; a geophysical assessment was carried out in August 2009 and offshore wind farm site. The technology is designed to capture valuable more in-depth geotechnical studies were undertaken in 2010, 2012 and 2013. hub height wind resource data and will remain on site for six to twelve Further in-depth geotechnical and geophysical surveys are taking place in 2014. months in support of the Neart project development. ‘Metocean’ (meteorological and oceanographic) data was collected using a The FLiDAR consists of number of metocean buoys deployed on and near the site. This informed state-of-the-art measurement the physical processes modelling for the Environmental Statement. equipment including a buoy The information gathered had specific reference to potential changes adapted leosphere LiDAR to seabed forms and coastal processes. mounted on a standard marine buoy and powered The geology and sediments will not be changed by the proposed by its own renewable energy development, so the assessment for the EIA concentrated on potential system comprising solar impacts on the coastline, sandbanks and water quality. The modelling within photovoltaic and wind power the physical processes study showed that the offshore infrastructure and technology. construction works would not cause any effects that reached the coastline. Changes to the metocean conditions (water levels, currents and waves) due to the presence of structures on the seabed may have the potential to alter the sediment regime although modelling has suggested that such changes FLiDAR installed at the Neart na Gaoithe site in would not be significant. April 2014 Offshore Biological Environment The proposed wind farm site does not overlap with any sites designated for their nature conservation interest. Nevertheless, it is crucial to understand the biological environment both within and surrounding the site and the potential impacts the development may have on this and wider habitats and species.

Sites of Nature Conservation Importance There are a number of inshore areas which are designated for their conservation importance in the Firths of Forth and Tay. Neart na Gaoithe does not physically encroach on any of these areas (Figure 7). However, protected species such as birds or marine mammals from neighbouring designated areas will use or transit through the proposed development site.

Using data from the bird and marine mammal observation studies, Mainstream assessed the potential impacts on the qualifying species for these designated sites.

Figure 7: Sites designated for nature conservation importance Seabird and Marine Mammal Surveys Monthly boat-based bird and marine mammal studies were carried out for Ten marine mammal species were recorded in the Neart na Gaoithe study area, three years between 2009 and 2012. This has allowed robust statistical with harbour porpoise and grey seal being the most common species. Harbour analyses to be undertaken to assess potential impacts that take account seals were also regularly recorded in lower numbers throughout the study. of between–year variation in seabird and marine mammal numbers. Possible impacts on birds arising from the proposed development include A total of 38 species of seabird were recorded within the Neart na Gaoithe collision with turbines, displacement and barrier effects, where birds avoid study area, with the three most common species being gannet, guillemot flying through the proposed development and have to fly further to go and puffin. Highest numbers of gannets and puffins were recorded in the around it. Detailed modelling has been carried out to predict impacts on summer months, while highest numbers of guillemots were recorded in bird species and populations. September and October. As a measure to reduce the potential for impact on seabirds, the maximum Additional studies including bird and seal electronic tagging studies number of turbines has been reduced from 125 to 75 and minimum rotor were undertaken to help inform both the baseline studies and the impact heights have been increased to avoid more common flight heights for assessments. some species.

Grey Seal Guillemots Kittiwake tagging Benthic Ecology and Intertidal Surveys Fish and Fisheries Studies Benthic (seabed) and coastal/intertidal studies were carried out in summer Mainstream carried out a desk study into fish and shellfish ecology and 2009 to identify the existing species and habitat distribution. In general, commercial fishing practices in the area. This, combined with results from the benthic habitat of the proposed development area is the same as the experimental trawls carried out in 2009, has identified fish species likely that commonly found in the wider North Sea. The benthic ecology survey to be present in the wind farm study area. This included an investigation observed typical mud and sand habitats with species found in the survey into nursery and spawning areas of key fish species. area including brittle stars, coral, worms and crustaceans. The Neart na Gaoithe site and surrounding region supports a number of fish Impacts on the benthic environment include a degree of disturbance or and shellfish species, similar to those found in the wider Firth of Forth and loss of benthic or seabed habitat, and other indirect impacts as a result North Sea region. The site also supports some commercial species, such as of localised changes to sediment concentrations, or introduction of new Nephrops (Norwegian lobster, known as ‘prawns’) and associated fisheries material, for example. Given the tolerance and recoverability of the benthic such as trawling and creeling, though much higher intensity fishing grounds habitats and species found in the site impacts were not predicted to are found outside the site boundary such as nearer the East Lothian be significant. Additionally, the habitats and species in the site are well coastline. The site does not support species such as sand-eel due to the represented in the wider region and are not considered to be rare or unique type of sediment present. examples of benthic environments. Potential impacts are considered in the EIA for fish/shellfish species and commercial fisheries. This includes direct impacts on species, through loss of habitat and disturbance, such as through underwater noise generated through installation, which can affect some fish species.

Seabed habitat - ‘Dead Mens Fingers’ Fishing Vessel Offshore Human Environment Shipping and Commercial Fishing Considered in the broadest terms, the human environment encompasses the visual, recreational and commercial amenity of the site. Both field and desk based studies and an extensive consultation programme have been undertaken with the shipping and fishing industries to determine favoured shipping routes and the level of fishing activity and methods used within and around the site and wider region.

Neart na Gaoithe was initially selected following early indications that the main shipping routes bypass the site. Findings from a comprehensive Automatic Information System (AIS) survey support these initial conclusions. Figure 8 is a graphical representation of radar and AIS data gathered on site over a period of 29 days between August to October 2010. Figure 8: Map of shipping routes

Consultation continues with fishermen and their representatives and Mainstream along with the other developers in the Firth of Forth have set up a Fisheries Working Group with local fishing representatives to maintain and improve communications with the fishing industry. Consultation has identified the types of fishing as being predominantly Nephrops trawling with a small volume of scallop dredging. Squid, a seasonal and sporadic fishery, provides an alternative catch for Nephrops fishermen when the squid are in the area. Along the cable route, lobster fishing using creels is most common. Commercial fisheries may be impacted through displacement, given the application of potential safety zones during installation, however, after construction is complete there will be Fishing Vessel no restrictions to access to the wind farm. Seascape, Visual, Archaelogy and Cultural Heritage The archaeological assessment has A series of photomontages have been created to give an indication of identified a number of features. These how the wind farm will look from a number of viewpoints along the east include six wrecks of which the most coast (Figure 9 below). Consultation was undertaken with the local councils noteworthy are the remains of the and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to develop a comprehensive list with SS Einar Jarl and two First World War appropriate viewpoint locations. K class submarines (Figure 10), which Figure 10: First World War K-Class sank in 1918. Archaeological features Submarine wreck. The archaeology considered within the Neart na Gaoithe offshore site have been assessed in greater detail is broadly divided into two main areas: maritime archaeology such as during the analysis of geophysical, geotechnical and video survey data. shipwrecks, and submerged prehistoric archaeology, which considers the No turbines will be located in the vicinity of protected wrecks. potential inhabitation of humans on land which is now submerged. Survey data collected over the Neart na Gaoithe site provided a detailed picture of Aviation and Radar the seabed topography, allowing archaeologists to better understand the Additionally as part of the EIA, civil and military radar and aviation interests landscape below the sea. were assessed, primarily via a desk based study and through ongoing consultation with the Ministry of Defence, National Air Traffic Control Services and the Civil Aviation Authority.

Figure 9: Photomontage from Fife Ness Onshore Environment An application for planning permission to construct the onshore works between Thorntonloch Beach and Crystal Rig was submitted to East Lothian Council in November 2012. As with the offshore application it was accompanied by an Environmental Statement setting out the findings of an EIA, which was carried out under The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. Planning permssion was granted in June 2013.

Prior to commencing the EIA, consideration was given to a number of Agriculture and Land Use options for the grid connection. Overhead lines were discounted due to As the proposed cable corridor crosses agricultural land, an assessment landscape and visual impacts. Following this, an extensive route selection of the potential effects on agricultural practices was undertaken as part process was undertaken. of the onshore EIA. This was informed by a desk study, field surveys and land owner interviews. Other forms of land use such as recreation was also considered. A summary of key aspects of the onshore EIA is as follows: Ecology The cable route was positioned to avoid sensitive habitats and protected species. The cable route does not cross or pass within 100m of any sites designated for nature conservation importance. Similarly there are no areas of high ornithological interest within the construction corridor. Environmental surveys were carried out within the cable route corridor between May and September 2011. These included an ‘extended phase one habitats survey’, as well as protected species surveys for great crested newts, breeding birds, badgers, otters, water voles and bats. No protected species were identified within the cable route corridor. Badger Cable laying Construction Noise Other topics An assessment of potential noise impacts from construction was Additional surveys and assessments have considered the potential undertaken, with particular consideration of potential impacts on nearby for impacts on water courses, flooding, geology, air quality, traffic and residences. Noise monitoring locations were selected in agreement with socio-economic interests. East Lothian Council to identify existing noise levels. The Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm is the first project of those being Cultural Heritage developed in Scottish Waters to gain detailed planning permission for a Several designated cultural heritage assets are present close to the grid connection proposed cable route however none are located within the application boundary therefore no impacts will occur in the long term. Trial trenching will be undertaken prior to construction to determine whether any local archaeology is present.

Landscape and Visual A full landscape and visual assessment was undertaken to identify how views from residential properties and other viewpoints may be impacted upon by the onshore works. As the cable will be positioned underground, visual impacts will be limited once constructed. In order to minimise the landscape and visual impact during construction, sensitive features such as trees and hedgerows will be avoided where possible. Whilst the substation (Figure 11) will be visible from surrounding viewpoints, no properties overlook the site, which is located adjacent to existing wind farm and transmission infrastructure. Figure 11: Visual representation of the new substation. Cable Trench Works Construction The Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm will be built out in a number of stages. Construction of onshore works will commence in 2015 while offshore works will commence in 2016.

1. Installation of turbine foundation 3. Installation of cables The final design for foundations is under discussion and will either be jackets A cable installation vessel will start the process of laying the arrays of or gravity base. cables that will connect the turbines to the offshore substation. Specialist equipment such as a cable plough may be used to cut a trench in the seabed, If jackets are chosen then construction will start with the installation of four lay the cable into the trench then backfill to cover the cable. jacket piles at each of the turbine locations. If gravity base are chosen then Array Cable: 33kV 630mm2 cross sectional area up to a depth of 3m – the first step will be seabed preparation which includes the removal of all up to 120km to be installed. soft sediment and seabed levelling.

Jacket foundation pile: large steel tube between 2.5m and 3.5m diameter, up to 50m long.

Gravity base foundation pile: 25m – 45m in diameter.

2. Lifting of turbine foundation Steel jacket foundation: lattice support structure.

A large jack-up vessel will lift each of the foundations into place over the pre-installed piles.

Gravity base foundation: will be floated out on special vessels and lowered onto prepared seabed. A cable installation vessel 4. Installation of turbines 5. Offshore substation A turbine installation vessel will transport several sets of turbine components An offshore substation will be installed to coincide with the first turbines from the base port. A turbine is installed in several sections with the bottom being installed. The offshore substation consists of a jacket foundation and tower section being lifted into place and bolted to the transition piece on the a ‘topside’. The jacket foundation, a larger version of the turbine foundation, foundation. The nacelle is then bolted to the top piece of the tower. Each of will be installed in a similar way. The ‘topside’ is likely to be in excess of the three blades are lifted up to the nacelle hub in turn and bolted on. The 2,000 tonnes and require a specialist heavy lift vessel. All of the array cables array cable is then connected to the turbine at the transition piece. will be routed to the offshore substation and connected into the electrical equipment on the ‘topside’. Tower: cylindrical steel sections – up to 90m tall. Offshore Substation: up to 60m high (LAT) – in excess of 2000 Tonnes – Nacelle: contains the direct drive generator and all control systems – 33kV to 220kV transformers. up to 360 tonnes – 107.5m high (LAT).

Blades: 75m long Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) – 3 blades per turbine – 6. Export cables 18600m2 swept area. Two export cables will be installed from the offshore substation to land at

Thorntonloch Beach in East Lothian. They are larger versions of the array cables and will be installed in a similar way. At the shore they are connected to two onshore cables.

Export Cables: 220kV cables buried up to 3m – 33km to be installed.

7. Onshore infrastructure All the onshore infrastructure will be installed with two cables in one trench from Thortonloch Beach to Crystal Rig wind farm in the Lammermuir Hills. An onshore substation will be built to allow the connection of the export cables to specialist transformers to connect to the National Grid.

Onshore Infrastructure: 12.3km onshore cable 220kV

Onshore Substation with 220kV to 400kV transformers. Project Timeline

The milestones within the scheduled timeline for the Neart na Gaoithe project are presented below:

2008 – Site selection – Licence awarded by The Crown Estate 2009 – Scoping Report submitted 2009-2012 – Site surveys underway 2010 – Grid connection agreed 2011 – Agreement for Lease received July 2012 – Offshore consent application submitted Nov 2012 – Onshore consent application submitted June 2013 – Onshore consent awarded by East Lothian Council 2013/2014 – Detailed geotechnical surveys underway Mid-2014 – Offshore consent expected 2015 – Onshore construction commences 2016 – Offshore construction commences 2017 – First generation 2018 – Completion Consultation Consultation has been a key element in the development of this project. Mainstream has sought the views and inputs from all stakeholders and other bodies as well as individuals to ensure they are fully aware of the project and kept up-to-date with all aspects of its development.

Over the years, Mainstream has held a number of community consultation meetings across the region and participated in a number of public events on the east coast of Scotland (Fife, Angus and East Lothian) to publicise the project and keep the public informed on the project development.

Meetings have also been held to inform interested groups such as natural heritage bodies, commercial fishermen, community councils, surfers, shipping representatives and recreational sea users of the project. Economic Opportunities As a project of national importance to Scotland, Neart na Gaoithe has the power to create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase and throughout the operation of the wind farm.

Given the strong base of high quality engineering and related jobs already clustered along the east coast of Scotland, Neart na Gaoithe is expected to not only create new opportunities but help sustain and underpin a high quality skills base in the east of Scotland. Turbine nacelle workers

A number of large ports and Scotland has world class expertise in offshore engineering through 40 harbours on the east coast years of oil and gas extraction. This experience makes Scotland’s workforce of Scotland are well placed ideally placed to develop a highly skilled offshore renewable energy to become a base for industry. In addition to Neart na Gaoithe, a number of offshore renewable construction activities. wind projects are proposed for the outer Firths of Forth, Tay and further There are also opportunities north in the Moray Firth. With the further potential for floating wind for these ports or other technologies in deeper waters further offshore, this represents a major smaller harbours on the opportunity for long term supply chain opportunities. east coast to locate bases for ongoing operation and Register your interest as a supplier on the Neart na Gaoithe website at Turbine installation maintenance services. www.nngsupplierdatabase.com Offshore Wind in Scotland Scotland has around a quarter of Europe’s potential offshore wind resource and the Scottish Government has ambitious plans for renewable energy generation – generating the equivalent of 100% of all Scotland’s electricity demand by 2020. The Scottish Government has been working to identify opportunities for the development of a long-term offshore renewable industry.

In 2011 the Scottish Government published its strategic plan for offshore wind in Scottish Territorial Waters, ‘Blue Seas: Green Energy’. Its vision is for the delivery of energy from offshore wind resources in Scotland up to 2020 and beyond whilst maximising the benefits for Scotland. It aims to strike a balance between economic, social and environmental needs. Green energy, reduced emissions and the provision of jobs in new industries are just some of the benefits for Scotland from the development of offshore wind farms.

The ‘Blue Seas: Green Energy’ plan was subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and of the ten sites originally identified for potential development, five are now being taken forward. These five sites, which include Neart na Gaoithe, were adopted in the final plan.

More information on the development of offshore wind around Scotland can be viewed on the Scottish Government’s website. Sites currently being taken through the consenting process in the Firth of Forth and Tay are shown on Figure 12 overleaf. Other Offshore Wind Farms in the Region In the Firth of Forth and Tay area, there are two wind farms proposed within territorial waters (12 nautical miles (NM)), and a zone for potential developments beyond 12NM. The Crown Estate (TCE) encouraged collaboration between offshore wind developers to “address the issues arising as a result of the cumulative and combined benefits and effects in the most efficient and effective manner.”

To achieve this, the Forth and Tay Offshore Wind Developers Group (FTOWDG) was established. The group is chaired by TCE as an independent adjudicator of which key developers in the area including Mainstream Renewable Power are members. The developers meet regularly and collaborate in data collection, survey methodology and consultation exercises.

Figure 12: Map of Neart na Gaoithe wind farm and other wind farm locations in the area Mainstream Renewable Power 3rd Floor, 2 West Regent Street, Glasgow G2 1RW

Tel: +44 (0)141 206 3860 Email: [email protected] www.neartnagaoithe.com

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