SSE Renewables has secured the Scottish government’s approval for the 4.1GW Berwick Bank offshore wind farm.
The project will be located 38km east of the Scottish Borders coastline.
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The Section 36 consent determination by Scottish ministers endorses the project’s main offshore wind farm array in the outer Firth of Forth, off the east Lothian coast.
The decision marks the final major consent required for the project to advance, following more than a decade of detailed development work by the group on its design.
The Berwick Bank project will contribute £8bn ($10.5bn) to the UK economy and create more than 9,000 jobs within the UK.
However, the project’s delivery is contingent upon SSE Renewables securing a contract for new low-carbon offshore wind power under the UK’s contracts for difference scheme and making a final investment decision.
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By GlobalDataThe offshore wind farm is crucial to the UK’s 2030 clean power objectives and aligns with the energy security goals of both the Scottish and UK governments.
Under its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, the UK government aims to raise offshore wind capacity to 50GW by 2030.
If fully realised, the Berwick Bank offshore wind farm would become the world’s largest of its kind, generating sufficient clean energy to power more than six million homes annually.
The project can potentially enhance Scotland’s current operational renewable electricity capacity by almost 25%, supporting the country’s ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.
SSE Renewables managing director Stephen Wheeler stated: “The Scottish government’s decision to grant a consent order for Berwick Bank offshore wind farm is hugely welcome.
“At over 4GW of potential capacity, Berwick Bank can play a pivotal role in meeting the mission of Clean Power 2030 for the UK and achieving Scotland’s decarbonisation and climate action goals.
“Berwick Bank has the potential to rapidly scale up Scotland’s operational renewable energy capacity and can accelerate the delivery of homegrown, affordable and secure clean energy to UK consumers from Scottish offshore wind, helping meet the UK’s clean power ambition by 2030.”
