Renewable energy developers in the north east will work with the Ministry of Defence to make sure radar from RAF Buchan is not affected by wind farms in the area.

Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd, Muirden Energy LLP and West Coast Energy Ltd (WCE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work with the MoD.

It comes after the Ministry lodged holding planning objections to an offshore wind development centre being planned by Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd, to WCE's Cairnborrow wind farm and to Muirden Energy LLP's Mormond Hill wind farm applications.


The MoD was concerned that the developments might compromise air defence radar at RAF Buchan.

A spokesperson for West Coast Energy said the agreement "underlined good progress being made between the MoD and the three renewable energy companies".

The Memorandum of Understanding commits the developers to work together with the MoD in order to minimise the resource requirements of the MoD and to find a common technical mitigation solution to ensure that the wind farms can, if consented, operate in conjunction with the Buchan Air Defence Radar.

Steve Salt of West Coast Energy said: "This is a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding between three renewable energy developers and the MoD. WCE understand the vital and important role that our Aberdeenshire RAF bases play in protecting Scotland and the rest of the UK. That is why we will continue to work with the MoD and other renewable energy companies to ensure that our renewable energy developments can work in conjunction with our local RAF bases."

(NE/GK)