UK: MoD Opposes to Offshore Wind Farm

After last week’s tragedy in the Moray Firth, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has voiced its objections to the construction of a proposed offshore wind farm off the Caithness coast.

A consortium led by SSE Renewables, namely Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited (Bowl), submitted an application in April to install up to 277 wind turbines in the area of the Beatrice oil field.

In June, MoD placed an objection to the Beatrice wind farm to the Scottish Government, saying it will be in line of sight to the Air Traffic Control radar at RAF Lossiemouth.

According to the Scotsman news portal, last week two trainee pilots and their instructor died after two Tornado GR4 jets plunged into the Moray Firth in the area.

This tragic event has led to MoD’s decision to join the wind farm´s opponents with a strong reason of “unacceptable interference” to radar systems.

“This is clearly an important subject and we are working with the Ministry of Defence to try to overcome any concerns they have in terms of the radar,” said Bowl´s spokeswoman.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND Staff, July 16, 2012; Image: SSE