Mainstream Renewable Power has welcomed a decision by the Supreme Court that will clear the way for construction of the 450MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm.

The court rejected RSPB Scotland’s application for leave to appeal in its long-running challenge to a planning decision by Scottish Ministers in 2014. Andy Kinsella, Mainstream Renewable Power chief executive, said: “The RSPB has already delayed the project by two and a half years, during which time it could have displaced approximately 1 million tonnes of CO2, making a very significant contribution to the Scottish and UK Governments’ energy and climate targets.

“We are delighted with the decision and look forward to working constructively with RSPB Scotland to take the wind farm into construction next year.

“This project was consented by Scottish Ministers in October 2014 on the advice of Scottish Natural Heritage and Marine Scotland.

“We have taken advantage of significant advances in wind turbine technology allowing the number of turbines to be reduced from the 125 in the original design to a maximum of 54 today.”

Work is expected to start on the project in 2018.