Neart na Gaoithe retains CfD after arbitration ruling

A Contract for Difference for the 450MW Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) ofshore wind farm remains in place, owner Mainstream Renewable Power has said. The CfD counterparty, the Low carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) and NnG had submitted a dispute relating to the termination of NnG’s CFD to arbitration.

Tribunal has made its decision in NnG’s favour but the companies said details of the dispute are confidential.

NnG  was awarded planning consent by Scottish Ministers in October 2014.

The Scottish Ministers’ decision to consent it and three other wind farms in the Firths of Forth and Tay is subject to a judicial review. In an update, NnG said an appeal by the Scottish Ministers in respect of the Judicial Review was heard in the Court of Session in Scotland in early 2017.

NnG said it is working toward a “viable unencumbered consent” that would allow for financial close in 2018. The company aims to begin construction in 2019 and start commercial generation in 2021.

The wind farm won a 15-year CfD in February 2015 at a strike price of £114.39 (in 2012 prices).