A controversial offshore wind project off the coast of Aberdeen has been approved by the Scottish Government.
The 11-turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre is bitterly opposed by US businessman Donald Trump, who has complained that it will the spoil the view from his nearby golf course.
Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Offshore renewables represent a huge opportunity for Scotland, an opportunity to build up new industries and to deliver on our ambitious renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.”
The centre will lie 2-4.5km off the coast and will be capable of generating up to 100MW, providing energy to meet the needs of 49,000 homes, almost half the number in Aberdeen, the Government said.
It aims to allow developers and supply chain companies to test new technology offshore before commercial deployment.
Mr Ewing added the sector could generate more than £7 billion for the economy in Scotland and support up to 28,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirectly by 2020.
The application, put together by Vattenfall Wind Power and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, was given to Marine Scotland in August 2011 and went through a two-stage public consultation.
A planning decision for a substation at Blackdog, just north of the city, will be a matter for Aberdeenshire Council.