First offshore turbine installed

The first turbine has slotted into place at the Robin Rigg development about six miles off the Dumfries and Galloway coastline

The first turbine has been installed at one of the UK's largest renewable energy schemes.

Three massive jack-up barges - the MV Resolution, Sea Energy and Sea Worker - are on site at the 60-turbine Robin Rigg wind farm off the Solway coast.

Project manager Ian Johnson said he hoped the scheme could now progress quickly.

Developers E.ON claim that once the wind farm is completed it will supply enough energy for about 120,000 homes.

The first turbine is a significant landmark in the project, about six miles off the Dumfries and Galloway coastline.

It's a fantastic sight on the Solway at the moment with a fleet of vessels putting in foundations, turbines and cables Ian Johnson Project manager

It has suffered a number of complications.

In August 2007 the late arrival of a jack-up barge held up the �325m scheme.

A month later 40 crew had to be rescued from the vessel when it started to list in strong winds.

Earlier this year E.ON admitted it was unlikely to meet an initial completion deadline of spring 2009.

However, the company hopes it might now get back on track.

Mr Johnson said: "It's a fantastic sight on the Solway at the moment with a fleet of vessels putting in foundations, turbines and cables.

"I think it's fair to say that things are really coming together and all the team are over the moon at getting the first turbine in - it's starting to look like a wind farm for the first time.

"With so many boats on the water we're certainly hopeful that we can get back on schedule for the project."

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