Investor interest in the controversial Aberdeen Bay windfarm appears to be cooling as the threat of a prolonged legal battle with Donald Trump looms large on the horizon.
It can be revealed that six firms are looking to buy into the 11-turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), which has the backing of the Scottish Government.
Last night, however, one north-east MSP said he did not believe the scheme would ever go ahead.
The Trump Organisation is fighting to block the £230million development – which has been beset by problems – through the courts.
The US tycoon believes the turbines will destroy the views from his championship golf course at Menie Estate and is refusing to spend any more money on the site until the turbine plans are dropped.
He appears to be winning his battle, as the project has been delayed for two years and Swedish energy company Vattenfall announced it was selling its 75% stake.
On top of the court action, Aberdeenshire Council has rejected plans for an electricity substation at Blackdog, where the power would be brought ashore.
And last month, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, which holds the remaining stake in the wind power centre, handed over the running of the project to Aberdeen City Council.
It’s understood six companies have registered an interest to buy Vattenfall’s stake.
They include a major global company that is not being named at the moment – Vattenfall’s preferred choice.
However, a source close to the project said last night the interest was currently “tepid” at best because of the ongoing court fight.
Commenting on speculation over potential new investors in EOWDC, Mr Trump told the Press and Journal last night that it was a “foolish or incompetent” investor who would buy something which will lose “£25-£50million” a year.
And he claimed First Minister Alex Salmond would do everything in his power to “save face” over the project.
“He might even increase public subsidies still further, at taxpayers’ expense, to make sure this ridiculous development goes ahead,” said Mr Trump. “But it will destroy Aberdeen and tourism.” He vowed to continue his fight through the courts “for many years”.
A Scottish Government spokesman responded: “With an estimated 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential, the offshore wind industry in Scotland can deliver billions of pounds of investment and create thousands of jobs while playing a critical role in the fight against climate change.”
North East Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said he would be surprised if the project went ahead.
“I think the moment Vattenfall put its stake up for sale, this project was in trouble,” he said. “While this project has been greeted with great enthusiasm in some quarters, for others it is far too close to the coast. When it comes to offshore wind, there has been a big change in the market and we have seen two major projects around the coast of Scotland thrown into doubt because investors have stepped back.”
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