Trump plans European wind farm challenge
The US Presidential hopeful, who has been challenging the plans to build 11 turbines off the coast of Aberdeen for more than two years, lost his initial legal battle to the Scottish government, which approved the proposals.
The Trump Organisation has stated its intention to continue future investment in the north east and has labelled the court ruling "extremely unfortunate,” while Trump representative George Sorial does not expect the wind farm plans to go ahead. Construction on the project is unlikely to begin until 2017.
Trump, the current leading Republican candidate, argues that the turbines will ruin the view from his course at Menie estate, north of Aberdeen, while also vowing to fight the proposed £230m European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) off for “as long as it takes to win.”
Scotland's former first minister Alex Salmond has labelled billionaire Trump a "three-time loser,” while also claiming he is having a "damaging impact" on the Scottish economy, prompting the Trump Organisation to respond, calling SNP MP Salmond a “has-been.”
Andy Paine, project director of AOWFL, the company behind the EOWDC, is optimistic about the project’s future. “The project partners remain committed to seeing the EOWDC come to fruition and delivering long-term economic benefits to the region,” he said.
Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing welcomes the Supreme Court ruling, stating that the EOWDC is a project with enormous potential for Aberdeen and the wider north-east region.
“The EOWDC is an example of the type of development that could help to deliver significant and long-term economic benefits to the region and help to cement Aberdeen’s reputation as a global energy city and a world-leading centre for innovation,” she said.
