Neart na Gaoithe O&M facility gets OK

Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) planning committee has approved plans for the operations and maintenance (O&M) building in Eyemouth for the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm.

The planning permission is for a new, three-story 1,040m2 main building and a two-story 538m2 storage warehouse.

The O&M building, designed by Corstorphine + Wright Architects, will house the office, warehousing and staff welfare facilities required to support the servicing of the wind farm once operational. 

“Having worked so closely with the Eyemouth Harbour Trust on the details of this proposal I am very pleased that Scottish Borders Council has approved the plans for our O&M base at Eyemouth Harbour,” said Matthias Haag, NnG Project Director.

“We need an O&M base for the 25-year lifespan of NnG which brings with it fantastic socio-economic benefits for the town of Eyemouth and the local community.” 

Neart na Gaoithe construction started in November last year with onshore works, while offshore construction began this August.

The 450 MW wind farm will feature 54 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines and two GE Renewable Energy Grid Solutions’ offshore substations.

The project, owned by EDF Renewables and ESB, is expected to be commissioned in 2023.