Approval has been given for the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) in Aberdeen Bay.

The development will consist of 11 wind turbines a few kilometers from the Aberdeenshire coast. The project will be capable of generating up to 100MW and provide enough energy to meet the needs of over 49,000 homes.

The Centre is not a conventional wind farm, but an offshore deployment centre which will allow offshore wind developers and supply chain companies to test cutting edge wind technology in an offshore environment before commercial deployment.

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Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: "Offshore renewables represent a huge opportunity for Scotland; an opportunity to build up new industries and to deliver on our ambitious renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.

"The proposed European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre will give the industry the ability to test and demonstrate new technologies in order to accelerate its growth. It secures Aberdeen's place as the energy capital of Europe."

The £230m development has previously been opposed by US tycoon Donald Trump, who claimed the turbines would spoil the sea view for golfers on his course at Menie.

Mr Trump also threatened not to build a hotel at the resort if the plans went ahead.

(JP)