The Scottish Ministers have given marine consent for the construction and operation of the 850MW Moray West offshore wind project.
This clears the way for the project to participate in the next Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction scheduled for this summer. If successful in the auction, the project could enter the construction phase in 2022.
The wind farm is being developed by Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd., a joint venture between Engie and EDP Renewables.
As stated in the consent, the wind farm will comprise no more than 85 wind turbines and up to two offshore substations installed in the Outer Moray Firth some 22.5km southeast off the Caithness coastline.
Moray West is a sister project to the 950MW Moray East wind farm which recently started offshore construction. The 100-turbine Moray East is also being developed by Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd.