Scotland's 450 Megawatt Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm Now Fully Functioning on Our Site
Neart na Gaoithe Wind Farm Officially Operational in Scotland
The Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm, located 15.5 kilometres off the coast of Fife, Scotland, has become fully operational as of July 2025 [1][2][3]. This wind farm, co-owned by EDF power solutions UK and Ireland and ESB, is now generating up to 450 MW of clean electricity, enough to power approximately 375,000 homes [1][2].
The operations and maintenance (O&M) base for the NnG wind farm was opened in January 2023 and is located in Eyemouth. The O&M base includes a 1,040-square-metre, three-story operations and maintenance building, as well as a 538-square-metre storage warehouse [3].
The O&M base is part of the efforts to maximize the benefit for the local economy during the wind farm's 25-year lifespan. Matthieu Hue, Chief Executive of EDF power solutions UK and Ireland, expressed gratitude for the support received from the local communities and noted the significant benefits the wind farm is bringing to the local economy [3].
Economically, NnG has contributed around £200 million (approximately €230 million) to the Scottish economy during its construction phase by engaging with over 50 local suppliers. Key local companies involved include Forth Ports in Dundee, I&H Brown (Perth), Briggs Marine (Burntisland), and Muir Construction (Inverkeithing) [2][3]. Its operations and maintenance base in Eyemouth currently employs 27 local workers and is expected to sustain up to 50 permanent jobs over the wind farm’s projected 25-year operational life [2].
Regarding the impact on local communities, the project has fostered direct employment and engaged community groups, with the Scottish First Minister visiting the Eyemouth operations base to meet workers, schoolchildren, and community groups benefiting from the development [3]. This indicates active local involvement and positive social engagement related to the project.
In addition, the NnG wind farm's operation will offset over 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, according to the developer [1]. This significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions highlights the wind farm's contribution to Scotland's renewable energy capacity and its role in combating climate change.
The installation of Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines was completed in April 2025 [1]. The electricity generated by Neart na Gaoithe is transmitted via a subsea export cable from the offshore substation to Thorntonloch Beach, where the underground onshore export cable feeds the electricity to the national grid [1][2].
First Minister John Swinney visited the O&M base in January 2023 to see the site up close and hear about the benefits it brings to the local economy [3]. During the visit, he met with local people working on the project, as well as schoolchildren and community groups already benefiting from the wind farm's development [3].
In summary, the Neart na Gaoithe wind farm is making a significant contribution to Scotland’s renewable energy capacity, has a strong positive economic impact via local supply chain investment and jobs, and engages with surrounding communities through direct employment and outreach initiatives.
[1] Neart na Gaoithe Wind Farm [2] Neart na Gaoithe Wind Farm: Job Creation and Economic Impact [3] First Minister Visits Neart na Gaoithe Wind Farm Operations Base [4] Neart na Gaoithe Wind Farm Officially Opens [5] Neart na Gaoithe Wind Farm: A Boost for Scottish Economy
- The Neart na Gaoithe wind farm, now operational, generates up to 450 MW of clean electricity, contributing significantly to Scotland's renewable energy capacity and climate-change mitigation efforts.
- The wind farm's operations and maintenance base in Eyemouth provides employment opportunities for 27 local workers and is expected to sustain up to 50 permanent jobs over its 25-year lifespan, positively impacting the local economy.
- The wind farm has fostered direct employment, engaging community groups, and has already had positive social engagement with local communities, as demonstrated by the visit of the Scottish First Minister to the operations base.
- Economically, the wind farm has contributed around £200 million (approximately €230 million) to the Scottish economy during its construction phase and engages with over 50 local suppliers, including key companies such as Forth Ports, I&H Brown, Briggs Marine, and Muir Construction.
- The wind farm's operation offsets over 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, demonstrating its role in the environmental-science sector and the finance industry’s commitment to renewable-energy projects, which are crucial for the long-term health of the earth's climate and the global economy.
