All turbines for the initial phase of Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm are now fully operational and exporting electricity to the power grid.
The Seagreen array, located 27km off the Angus coast in the North Sea’s Firth of Forth, currently comprises 114 of Vestas’ 10MW V164 turbines, although the maximum export capacity of the wind farm is 1,075MW.
As well as being Scotland’s largest, Seagreen is also the world’s deepest fixed-bottom wind farm, with its deepest foundations being installed 58.7 metres below sea level.
The project is jointly owned by SSE Renewables (49%), which has also led the development and construction, and Total Energies (51%). SSE Renewables will also operate and maintain the wind farm from a dedicated base at Montrose Port.
The company is eventually planning to install a further 36 turbines, bringing the overall total to 150. In October last year, the company secured consent to increase the size of the remaining turbines, boosting the additional generation capacity they will provide from 360MW to 500MW.
Stephen Wheeler, managing director of SSE Renewables, said: “This is a landmark moment for offshore wind in Scotland and for the global offshore wind industry.
“The Seagreen project has pushed new boundaries through its use of innovative suction caisson technology which has allowed our project team to set new records through the installation of the world’s deepest fixed-bottom foundations at the site. This makes Seagreen a pioneer for future developments in deeper waters so they can be built faster and more efficiently, accelerating the clean energy transition.”
UK energy secretary Claire Coutinho said: “Offshore wind is a resounding British success story and Seagreen becoming fully operational is yet more proof of our world-leading status.
“Not only has it become Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, but it also results in the UK having the world’s five largest operational wind farms off its shores.”
Scotland’s first minster Humza Yousaf said: “The Seagreen offshore wind farm is a fantastic example of the work being done to unleash Scotland’s renewable potential, as we seek to lead the world in the transition to net zero.
“This significant milestone for Seagreen is also significant for Scotland, taking us a step closer to creating a net zero energy system that delivers affordable, secure and clean energy.”
The Seagreen wind farm secured a Contract for Difference in the third allocation round in 2019 for 454MW of generation capacity at a strike price of £41.61/MWh (2012 prices).