Scottish wind farm awarded for its scientific research programme

The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre wind farm, located in Aberdeen Bay, was recognized for its Scientific Research and Monitoring Programme. The Nature of Scotland award is organized by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland.

Gordon Fisher, Carol Aitken, Chris Jackson and Natalie Ghazi represented Vattenfall that received the Nature of Scotland Award for Sustainable Development at an event in Edinburgh on 22 November 2018. In the middle, event presenter Kate Humble.

Vattenfall and the EU have invested EUR 3 million to study the effect of offshore wind farms on marine wildlife such as dolphins, salmon, sea trout and sea birds. The programme is believed to be the largest environmental research programme of its kind.

Chris Jackson, Vattenfall’s scientific research and monitoring programme coordinator, said:

“Our research investment will increase understanding of the environmental impact of offshore wind and keeps Scotland at the forefront of offshore wind research and development.”

“We believe the results of the research programme will help accelerate the growth of offshore wind by providing greater insight to decision makers and developers when assessing the impacts of offshore wind.

The EOWDC wind farm will also test future wind power technology with the aim is to accelerate the wind power industry's drive for competitive renewable electricity generation.

The 11 turbine wind farm, which boosts the world's most powerful turbines, was inaugurated in September 2018.