Scottish offshore wind project approved by government

European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre will allow developers and supply chain companies to test new technology

A windfarm project off the coast of Aberdeen has been approved by the Scottish government.

The 11-turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre will lie between 2km and 4.5km off the coast and will be capable of generating up to 100MW, providing enough electricity to power 49,000 homes, almost half the number in Aberdeen, the government said.

The project will not be a conventional windfarm, but an offshore deployment centre. It will allow developers and supply chain companies to test new technology and designs before commercial deployment. The centre will incorporate research, testing and training facilities alongside electricity generation.

Fergus Ewing, the Scottish government's energy minister, said the renewables sector could generate more than £7 billion for the economy in Scotland and support up to 28,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirectly by 2020.

Ewing said: “Offshore renewables represent a huge opportunity for Scotland – an opportunity to build up new industries and to deliver on our ambitious renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.”

However, the scheme is bitterly opposed by US businessman Donald Trump, who has complained that the turbines will spoil the view from his nearby golf course.

In an interview last month Trump threatened legal action to halt the wind test centre. He said: “I built a masterpiece. I don't want to see it destroyed by windmills. Windmills are going to be the death of Scotland and even England if they don't do something about them. They are ruining the countryside.”

Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd submitted the application for the project in August 2011. The application went through a two-stage public consultation.