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ScottishPower Renewables has confirmed that it will not be taking forward its lease option to develop the Argyll Array Offshore Windfarm in the near future, following technical and environmental site studies. The company says that the project may be viable to reconsider as offshore wind technology develops in the longer term, but estimates that will not be within the next decade.

The decision not to progress the project was taken by both ScottishPower Renewables and the Crown Estate. The main issues are the ground conditions in the site, particularly the presence of hard rock, coupled with challenging wave conditions which could impact construction. Beyond this, there is a significant presence of basking sharks, which environmental groups continue to study to get a greater understanding of their movements in the area.

Jonathan Cole, Head of Offshore Wind at ScottishPower Renewables, said: ‘We believe it is possible to develop the Argyll Array site, it has the some of the best wind conditions of any offshore zone in the UK. As cost reductions continue to filter through the offshore wind industry, and as construction techniques and turbine technology continues to improve, we believe that the Argyll Array could become a viable project in the long term.’

Cole added: ‘The rate of progress in development of foundation and installation technology has been slower than anticipated. The current outlook for offshore wind deployment in the UK suggests this will not significantly improve in the short term. This supports the view that it could take 10–15 years for the required technology improvements to be available for this project.’

Commenting on the announcement, RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive, Maf Smith said: ‘When you take a broad overview, the pipeline of projects is still a healthy one. We already have 22 offshore wind farms operating successfully. Five more are under construction, a further eight have been approved and another 12 are awaiting consent.’

·      Meanwhile, ABB has been awarded a contract by Vattenfall’s Pen y Cymoedd Wind Energy Project to construct the grid connection for the 76-turbine, 228 MW wind farm in south Wales, due for first operation in 2016. Once complete, the farm will be largest onshore wind farm in England and Wales one of the largest in Europe.