The Scottish Government has given approval for what is being called the world’s “biggest offshore windfarms” just days after US President Donald Trump pressured Scotland’s First Minister to scrap renewable projects.
The US president branded the turbines a “con-job” and described those along Scotland’s coastline as “some of the ugliest you’ve ever seen”.
Mr Trump raised the issue during face-to-face talks with Scottish First Minister John Swinney on the president’s visit to Aberdeenshire on Tuesday.
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The lobbying by Trump appears to have failed because, as of Thursday morning, the Scottish Government issued licences for the Berwick Bank project in the waters off the Scottish Borders.
SSE, the developer, has described the project as the largest in the world, with the possibility of powering six million homes when complete.
Mr Trump said at the weekend that offshore wind is “ruining” Scotland and Europe, and claimed it is “killing the birds”.
John Swinney told Sky News following the summit with the US president that “we are not going to be able to agree on all subjects and I am a believer in climate change“.
John Swinney told Sky he and Trump ‘are not going to agree on everything’. Pic: PA
Announcing approval on Thursday, the Scottish Government said that Berwick Bank could generate enough electricity each year to power every household in Scotland around twice over.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “These large-scale renewable energy projects will ensure people in Scotland truly benefit from clean power, lower bills, and good quality job opportunities.”
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Stephen Wheeler, managing director of SSE Renewables, added: “Berwick Bank has the potential to rapidly scale-up Scotland’s operational renewable energy capacity and can accelerate the delivery of homegrown, affordable and secure clean energy to UK consumers from Scottish offshore wind, helping meet the UK’s clean power ambition by 2030.”
The final plans will need to be approved by Scottish ministers before Berwick Bank proceeds.
