SSE Renewables enters agreement with Total for 51% stakes in Seagreen Scottish offshore wind project

SSE Renewables has taken a final investment decision to proceed with the Seagreen 1 offshore wind farm. Located in Scottish waters in the Firth of Forth, at 1,075MW, Seagreen 1 will be Scotland’s largest wind farm once complete, generating enough electricity to power one million homes. Seagreen 1 will further the UK’s ambition to deliver 40GW of offshore wind by 2030 and make a significant contribution towards reaching Scotland’s and UK’s net zero emissions targets.

The GBP3 billion (US$3.8 billion) project will be taken forward together with a new joint venture partner, Total, with whom SSE Renewables has entered into an agreement to sell a 51% stake in Seagreen 1. SSE Renewables will continue to lead on the development and construction of the project, supported by Total, and will operate the asset on completion, which is expected between 2022 - 2023. 

Seagreen will provide an economic boost to Scotland and the wider UK with hundreds of local jobs created during the construction phase and throughout its operational life. Today, SSE Renewables has confirmed it has completed and signed a contract with MHI Vestas Offshore Wind to provide the 10MW turbines, with blades to be manufactured in the Isle of Wight and service operations based in Scotland. Additionally, Seaway 7 will create up to 50 jobs at its Aberdeen office as a result of being awarded the contract to install the turbine foundations and inter-array cables for Seagreen.

In September 2019, SSE Renewables secured a 15-year Contract for Difference (CfD) in the UK Government’s auction for low carbon power for around 40% of the project’s capacity. Another c. 30% will be contracted with the SSE Group, which is well-positioned to optimize the route to market for this renewable output, including through developing opportunities to meet its customers’ growing demand for long-term fixed-price green power.

SSE Renewables continues to develop its wholly-owned Seagreen 2 and 3 projects (combined up to 3,200 MW), which were awarded exclusive development rights by The Crown Estate in 2010. It has also started onshore construction on the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which is delivering together with its partner, Equinor.