Vattenfall, Technip and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), the joint venture partners behind the Wind Deployment Centre in Scottish waters – the 11-wind turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre off Aberdeen Bay have submitted their consent application to Marine Scotland.

The application seeks permission for work to commence on the construction and operation of the Centre. Located off Aberdeen Bay, the joint venture say the EOWDC would accelerate the development of offshore wind power by proving the next generation of technology by attracting scientists, researchers, engineers, offshore wind supply chain companies and future investment.

Morag McCorkindale, Chief Operating Officer at AREG, said: “As Europe’s energy capital, Aberdeen City and Shire is the ideal location for the EOWDC. The region has an offshore oil and gas supply chain unrivalled in the eastern Hemisphere and therefore has the highest concentration of energy expertise, experience, skills and technology. This industrial-scale know-how is crucial to the development of marine renewables, and in the short-term particularly, offshore wind. The EOWDC is a key project to assist in the diversification of its economy.”

AREG aims to position the region as a renewable centre of excellence through developing key renewable projects.

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “Offshore wind is especially important as it has the potential to deliver more than 28,000 direct jobs in Scotland by 2020 and contribute up to £7.1 billion of investment to the economy, breathing new life into our manufacturing sector. The EOWDC project will help to deliver these opportunities through facilitating the proving of next generation technologies, helping Scotland to attract and retain the investment needed to create jobs and provide secure supplies of clean and affordable energy.”