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A major new offshore wind farm is planned off the coast of East Lothian, following the award of a significant contract by the UK government. SSE is set to develop the Berwick Bank wind farm, located in the outer Firth of Forth, which will feature up to 307 turbines. This installation is projected to generate enough electricity to supply power to around six million homes, making it one of the largest offshore wind projects globally.
The entire development is expected to reach a capacity of 4.1 gigawatts, with the first phase delivering approximately 1.4 gigawatts. The project is one of twelve UK offshore wind initiatives to receive a Contract for Difference, a scheme that secures minimum prices for electricity generated. According to Martin Pibworth, SSE’s chief executive, receiving the contract is a critical step toward making a final investment decision and highlights the company’s commitment to sustainable growth and delivering long-term value for society, consumers, and shareholders. He emphasized that if completed at full capacity, Berwick Bank would represent a major contribution to the offshore wind goals of both the Scottish and UK governments.
Despite the promising outlook, the plans have faced opposition from environmental groups concerned about their impact on wildlife. Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, called it a “disgrace” to finance what she described as “one of the world’s most harmful wind farms for birds” with public money. McCall warned that the development could cause the deaths of tens of thousands of seabirds throughout its lifespan, threatening species such as Kittiwakes and Puffins and pushing them closer to extinction in Scotland. She stressed that addressing climate change should not come at the expense of nature.
The Berwick Bank turbines will be constructed roughly 24 miles offshore, near the existing Seagreen wind farm, which started operating in 2022 with 115 turbines powering up to 1.6 million homes. Power from Berwick Bank will be transmitted to substations at Dunbar in East Lothian and Blyth in Northumberland. The project is anticipated to generate up to £6 billion for the UK economy and marks the first fixed offshore wind farm to secure a government contract since 2022. Additionally, a smaller floating offshore wind farm, Pentland, off Dounreay, has also received a contract award. The government touts these contracts as the largest offshore wind energy procurement in British and European history, sufficient to power 12 million homes.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks described the contracts as a “monumental result” that helps shape a cleaner energy future for Scotland while providing thousands of jobs. He highlighted the economic benefits of securing offshore wind prices lower than gas alternatives, contributing to permanently reduced energy bills. However, Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin criticized the allocation as a “missed opportunity” and pointed to unfair transmission charges and a limited UK government budget as factors disadvantaging Scottish projects. Martin urged the UK government to support more Scottish initiatives in upcoming contract rounds. Energy analyst Jess Ralston from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit added that the expansion of wind capacity is pivotal for UK energy independence and the stabilization of energy costs, reducing reliance on imported gas amid geopolitical tensions
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