Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, visited Eyemouth to celebrate the completion of Scotland's newest offshore wind farm, Neart na Gaoithe (NnG), which is now fully operational.

During a visit to NnG's operations and maintenance base in Eyemouth, the Prime Minister met with local project staff, schoolchildren, and members of the local communities benefiting from the wind farm's development. Located 15.5 km off the coast of Fife, the wind farm comprises 54 wind turbines that generate up to 450 megawatts of low-carbon electricity, enough to power approximately 375,000 homes. 

Neart na Gaoithe (meaning 'Strength of the Wind' in Scottish Gaelic) is jointly owned by EDF Power Solutions UK and Ireland and ESB, Ireland's largest energy company. It directly generated over £200 million (approximately €231 million) in benefits for more than 50 suppliers based in and around Scotland during the construction period.  

The wind farm's operations and maintenance base, which opened in January 2023, already plays an important role for the town of Eyemouth and will continue to do so for the wind farm's 25 years of operation, providing 50 skilled jobs. 

Over the past three years, NnG has supported more than 25 local organizations on the east coast of Scotland through sponsorships and partnerships. A fund will be launched in late summer for the communities closest to the wind farm and its onshore substation. 

First Minister John Swinney said : 
“Offshore wind is one of Scotland’s greatest modern success stories. Experiencing NnG up close and hearing about its positive impact on the region for decades to come, including the creation of around 50 skilled jobs over the next 25 years, illustrates the enormous benefits that offshore wind will bring to local communities across the country. Driving economic growth and tackling the climate emergency are both priorities for my government, and NnG is a perfect example of how these priorities can come together to reshape Scotland’s future.” 

Matthieu Hue, Managing Director of EDF Power Solutions UK and Ireland, said:                      
“The completion of NnG is an outstanding achievement and marks the culmination of many years of hard work. Seeing the wind farm fully operational is a significant milestone, as is welcoming First Minister John Swinney today to visit the site and learn about the considerable benefits the farm is already bringing to the local economy and will continue to bring throughout its operational life. We have worked closely with local communities in locating in Eyemouth and maximizing the benefits to the local economy. I would like to thank everyone for their support.” 

Jim Dollard, Executive Director of Generation and Trading at ESB, said: 
“The completion of the NnG project marks a significant milestone in ESB’s journey towards carbon neutrality. This project will make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions from electricity generation in the UK, while supporting the economy of the east coast of Scotland. I would also like to acknowledge the work of our partners EDF Power Solutions UK and Ireland, who have helped us achieve this important milestone. Through projects like this, ESB has gained considerable expertise in offshore wind, partnering with leading energy companies on major projects, in line with our ambition to develop a significant offshore presence in Ireland and Great Britain.”  

Matthias Haag, NnG Project Director, said: 
“Today is an exciting day as we announce the completion of one of Scotland’s largest offshore wind farms. It is also a testament to the extraordinary skill, tenacity, and commitment of our project team and commercial partners, who successfully overcame numerous complex technical challenges, often in challenging Scottish weather conditions and against the backdrop of a global pandemic, to build this infrastructure that will sustainably power homes and businesses for decades to come. We are proud to have had a significant impact on the Scottish supply chain, working with local companies such as Briggs Marine and Muir Construction Ltd. We will continue to play a vital role in supporting local initiatives throughout the project’s 25-year operating life, through a fund to be launched this summer.” 

Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm

The NnG site was chosen because it combines technical, economic and environmental deliverability. Some of the criteria that formed part of the site selection process included; water depth, ground condition, expected energy yield, access to port facilities and more.

NnG won a Contract for Difference (CfD) in 2015, providing the windfarm with an inflation-linked strike price for the electricity it produces for a period of 15 years.

EDF Renewables UK acquired the project in May 2018 as part of a competitive bidding process and ESB acquired a 50% in November 2019.

The wind farm will produce up to 450 MW of low carbon energy and will have 54 turbines, and will provide enough power for around 375,000 homes and will offset more than 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

KeyFacts Energy US country profile: EDF Renewables