Samsung wind turbine test site plans backed by ministers

Samsung aims to increase the reliability and efficiency of offshore wind turbines

Samsung Heavy Industries has secured £6m from Scottish Enterprise to help it develop an offshore wind turbine test centre in Fife.

The news came as Scottish ministers granted consent for a prototype wind turbine with a capacity of up to 7MW at the Fife Energy Park in Methil.

Samsung has said it wants to invest £100m in developing and manufacturing turbines at the park.

It hopes to boost the reliability and efficiency of offshore turbines.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing granted Samsung consent for a single, three-bladed demonstration wind turbine.

It will be up to 110m tall from mean sea level (MSL), including the base jacket.

Samsung is expected to begin construction of the prototype turbine later this year.

The turbine will be placed on the sea bed about 35m from the shore.

The Crown Estate will provide the area of sea bed to allow the project to proceed.

The development was announced by Finance Secretary John Swinney during a visit to South Korea.

'Centre of expertise'

Mr Swinney said: "Today's announcement marks a significant step forward in establishing a globally competitive supply chain for the offshore wind industry.

"Increasingly, Scotland is recognised as a centre of expertise for the next generation of offshore wind energy technologies, and this development will help to put us firmly on the map.

"Not only will this provide a much needed boost to our economy, it will also provide job opportunities for people in our local communities."

Rob Hastings, The Crown Estate's director of energy and infrastructure, said: "We are delighted that Samsung's programme to develop this turbine has taken a big step forward and we're pleased to have been able to provide certainty and support to Samsung in their endeavours.

"Their long-term investment is a hugely important contribution to building the supply chain in Scotland and in driving growth of a world-class offshore wind industry."

Environmental group WWF Scotland also welcomed news of the funding package to help develop a test centre.

Director Lang Banks said: "Studies estimate that Scotland's offshore wind industry could create 28,000 jobs by 2020 and contribute over £7bn of investment to the economy.

"If we are to make these jobs a reality then it is important Scotland has the facilities to test offshore wind turbines and other components.

"This announcement helps to keep Scotland on track to creating thousands of green jobs, meeting its renewables target, and cutting climate change emissions."

A year ago, Dutch renewable energy company 2-B Energy signed a deal with Scottish Enterprise to develop a unique two-bladed offshore wind turbine at Fife Energy Park.

The company claimed the design could reduce the cost of offshore turbines by as much as 45%.