A groundbreaking green-energy project off the Buchan coast could produce enough electricity for 20,000 homes.
The Buchan Deep scheme, part of Norwegian energy firm Statoil’s Hywind initiative, would feature five floating wind turbines about 13 nautical miles from Peterhead. At a public exhibition in Peterhead yesterday staff from Statoil gave presentations and answered questions.
Visitors were told the structures, which would be anchored to the seabed, had the potential to generate more than enough electricity to power Peterhead, which has a population of 18,500.
Cables would be laid to connect the turbines to the National Grid at the town’s Grange substation.
Project manager Torgeir Nakken said: “We would need to sit down and do the maths to get an exact figure, but I think around 20,000 homes could be powered.
“During the construction phase we would hope to use local firms as much as possible to carry out the work as they will have the local knowledge.
“Also, given that the turbines will have a 20 to 25-year life span, we would be looking to employ local engineers to run the operation onshore.”
The plans were given a generally warm reception by visitors to the exhibition, at the Palace Hotel. Ewan Wood, 34, a surveyor from Peterhead, said: “This project badly needs to happen as it will create new jobs.
“If the technology is proven to work it could open up waters all over the place to renewable energy.”
Work could begin onshore late next year with the turbines up and running by 2017. Peterhead South and Cruden councillor Stuart Pratt said: “I raised the question of local contractors and local labour being used and the developers said they are keen to do this.
“This is an exciting development but it is important that the local community should get the maximum possible benefit from it.”
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