Up to 110 turbines planned for site off Cape Wrath

Plans have been announced for a large offshore wind farm near Cape Wrath, located on the north west coast of the Scottish Highlands. The proposed Havbredey Wind Farm would consist of up to 110 wind turbines placed in the sea about 17 miles, or 27 kilometers, from Cape Wrath. This project is a collaboration between Northland Power, a Canadian energy company, and ESB, an Irish state-owned energy firm. The Scottish government's Marine Directorate is expected to begin a public consultation process soon, inviting feedback from communities and stakeholders about the development. The site for the wind farm was previously identified by Crown Estate Scotland as suitable for offshore wind projects. The name 'Havbredey' comes from Norse and means 'Isles on the edge of the sea,' reflecting the location's heritage. Unlike traditional offshore wind farms where turbines are fixed to the seabed, this project will use floating platforms anchored to the ocean floor. This method is necessary because the water depth at the site ranges from 75 to 116 meters, which is too deep for fixed foundations. The turbines themselves will be very large, with blade tip heights reaching up to 385 meters, making them some of the tallest structures in the area. The wind farm is expected to have a capacity of 1. 5 gigawatts, which means it can generate a significant amount of renewable energy. This clean energy will contribute to Scotland's goals of reducing carbon emissions and increasing the use of sustainable power sources. The development of Havbredey Wind Farm represents an important step forward in harnessing offshore wind energy, which is a key part of the global effort to combat climate change. The project also highlights the cooperation between different countries and companies to create innovative solutions for energy production.