DESIGN plans for the new windfarm substation at the old Cockenzie Power Station site have been revealed at the most recent meeting of Prestonpans Community Council.
Representatives of Inchcape Offshore Limited were in attendance at the meeting to speak on how the plans were progressing and discuss concerns with community councillors.
The Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, currently in late stage development, will see up to 72 turbines located 15km off the Angus coast and connected to the national transmission system at Cockenzie.
The plans show the the structures will be containedwithin a 2.47-hectare area of the former Cockenzie site – a significantly smaller area than the overall site for the previous station – surrounded by a security fence.
The fenced area will also have a row of small trees planted at a suitable distance so that they will not be a climbing aid.
The substation construction would contain a more traditional-looking building on the north end of the development and a roofless section at the south which would house the generators.
Concerns were raised by community councillors about the potential noise a roofless section of a building would emit.
An Inchcape spokesperson said: "It is designed in such a way that it looks like a building from floor level – but it will only be partially roofed.
"Noise will be transmitted up the way rather than out the way.
"It will produce around 75db at a two-metre distance – like a loud hum."
Neil Gilbert, councillor for Preston Seton Gosford ward, pointed out that birdsong only produced 60db.
Community councillors also queried the elected design of the structure.
The spokesperson continued: "It's the best we can do with what's available.
"We were very cognisant that we didn't want to be just another large building."
The Inchcape team also pointed out the colour choice on the structure's facade, which will incorporate green, greys and blues to help it blend in better with the Greenhills and the surrounding area.
Development of the onshore substation is scheduled to get underway in February, with offshore developments beginning later in the year. Full generation of the site will commence from early 2026.
Members of the team did confirm that the construction period would impact a section of the John Muir Way walking route, but this will be for a comparatively short period of time measured in weeks to a month.
The group also announced yesterday that a preferred wind turbine supplier had been selected for the site. Vestas will be the supplier of the 72 planned turbines, undertaking a 15-year operations and maintenance contract.
A spokesperson added: "This is another important step in the development of the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, which will be Scotland’s largest single source of renewable power when commissioned.
"Vestas brings a wealth of international experience and we look forward to working with the team to deliver this significant project."
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