The Proposed Development
The Forthwind turbine will have the following features:
- 3 blades
- Height from sea to turbine tip - 280 metres (above HAT)
- Rotor Diameter - 255 metres
- Length of rotor - 122.5 metres
- Hub Height - 156 metres
- Structure - Tubular Steel Tower
- Blade clearance from lowest point to to sea surface - 25 metres
- Design Life - 25 Years
In addition a temporary meteorological mast will be installed 625 metres to the southwest of the turbine. It's purpose is to measure the required wind speed and direction data to certify the turbine. The mast will be dismantled and removed from site after five years of successful operations. The met mast dimensions are anticipated to be:
- Height - 160 metres (above Highest Astronomical Tide)
- Lattice Steel Tower
- Design Life - 5 Years
An electricity export cable will transmit electricity from the turbine to shore (a distance of approximately 1.5 kilometres or 0.8 nautical miles). A power cable will connect the met mast to the turbine to supply power for its instrumentation.
Purpose of the Demonstration Turbine
The purpose of the development is to demonstrate a new model of offshore wind turbine, which will be used to generate clean electricity from a renewable source of energy; the wind. The proposed turbine is not currently available for commercial sale and the proposed development will provide the opportunity to validate the technical and operational abilities of the new technology.
The Location
The proposed demonstration site is located on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth at Methil, Scotland, and is approximately 1.5 km from the mean high water springs (MHWS). The development will connect to an onshore transformer station and control building located at the Fife Energy Park site.