Politicians predicted a jobs boom in the north last night after ambitious plans were tabled to build up to 277 wind turbines in the North Sea.
The major scheme, proposed for a site eight miles off the Caithness coast, is expected to help create hundreds of new energy industry posts at Wick and Nigg.
John Thurso, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said: “This sort of investment will provide work through Wick harbour and work in the Cromarty Firth and Nigg. These are going to be important jobs for the area.”
Lord Thurso said he doubted there would be significant local opposition if the turbines were visible from the shore.
“In discussions I have had with constituents they are far more concerned about the cumulative impact of onshore windfarms than they are about offshore windfarms,” he said.
“You’ve got the trial ones out there already and they are barely noticeable.”
Rob Gibson, SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said: “It is wonderful that the Beatrice project has reached the point of planning and we look forward to it going forward,” he said.
“The implication for us is that there is a lot of work in putting this lot to sea, but it’s the maintenance and upgrades that will involve hundreds of workers and they are thinking of doing this from small harbours like Wick.”
Eann Sinclair, programme manager for Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, said the various renewable energy projects under way in the north would help provide a bright future for the region’s economy.
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