SSE moves ahead on 4.1 GW Berwick Bank offshore wind project (UK)

Plans for the up to 4.1 GW Berwick Bank offshore wind project developed by the Scottish power group SSE Renewables have been accepted for determination by the East Lothian Council in Scotland (United Kingdom), marking a new step in the development for the project. The Berwick Bank offshore wind project would consist of up to 307 wind turbines for a total capacity of around 4.1 GW, enough to power 5 million homes. The offshore consent process started in December 2022 and the Scottish government is expected to give its final decision later in 2023. SSE Renewables aims to make a final investment decision (FID) and start construction between 2024 and 2026; the project could generate its first power in 2027 and be fully operational in 2030, contributing to Scotland's target of 11 GW of new offshore wind energy supply by 2030.

Meanwhile, SSE Renewables' sister company SSE Thermal has secured 10-year contracts for two new biofuel-fired power plants in Ireland. Two proposed units at Tarbert in Co. Kerry (260 MW) and Platin in Co. Meath (140 MW) have received the contracts in the T-4 Capacity Auction to start in the 2026-2027 delivery year. Expected to be operational by September 2026, they will initially run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), before being converted to hydrogen in the future. In addition, SSE Thermal secured contracts for existing units at Great Island (383 MW) in Co. Wexford, at Rhode (93 MW) in Co. Offaly and at Tawnaghmore (94 MW) in Co. Mayo, as well as for a 30 MW onshore wind capacity.