The Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, located 15.5 kilometres off the Fife coast, has just entered service. Equipped with 54 wind turbines, it has a total capacity of 450 megawatts, enough to meet the electricity needs of nearly 375,000 households. This project ranks among the most significant in the Scottish offshore wind sector, with the First Minister of Scotland attending the official inauguration in Eyemouth.
A structuring investment for the offshore sector
Neart na Gaoithe (“Force of the Wind” in Scottish Gaelic) is the result of a joint venture between EDF power solutions UK and Ireland and ESB, Ireland’s leading energy company. The total investment exceeds GBP200 mn ($259 mn), benefiting more than fifty local suppliers during the construction phase. According to project partners, this operation strengthens the industrial chain and positions Scotland as a key area in the offshore market.
The operations and maintenance base for the wind farm, operational since January 2023 in Eyemouth, currently provides fifty skilled jobs. This site is designed to support the operation of the wind farm for twenty-five years and to deliver long-term economic benefits for the town and the region.
Regional benefits and community support
Since the project’s launch, more than twenty-five organisations from the east coast of Scotland have benefited from partnerships and sponsorships. A community fund, announced for the end of the summer, will support the municipalities closest to the wind farm and its onshore substation. Project stakeholders highlight the mobilisation of local companies, such as Briggs Marine and Muir Construction Ltd, in the delivery of key infrastructure.
The construction of the wind farm required the coordination of advanced technical skills and the management of demanding weather conditions. This work enabled several Scottish companies to integrate into the offshore wind supply chain, thereby supporting the local and regional economy.
Outlook and industrial challenges
The operation of Neart na Gaoithe over a period of twenty-five years is expected to maintain the jobs created and consolidate the expertise developed. The companies involved in this project have stated their intention to strengthen their presence in the offshore sector in the United Kingdom and Ireland, while continuing to promote local actors. Monitoring of the wind farm’s performance and its economic impact will be carried out by stakeholders throughout the announced operational period.
