SSE Renewables’ proposed Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm has been granted permission in principle by the East Lothian Council for the project’s onshore transmission infrastructure and grid connection at Branxton.
Securing planning consent in principle for the onshore grid network will enable energy generated by the proposed project to be transmitted to the national grid via onshore cable infrastructure and a new substation at Branxton.
An application for consent for the offshore infrastructure needed to develop the project is currently before the Scottish government, with SSE Renewables hopeful of receiving a final determination early in the new year.
Berwick Bank, set to be located roughly 38 km off the East Lothian coast in Scotland, could generate up to 4.1 GW of power, says the company, and may increase Scotland’s overall renewable energy capacity in operation today by nearly 30%.
“The onshore grid network is an immensely important part of the project. Simply put, without this element, the project could not continue,” says Alex Meredith, SSE Renewables Berwick Bank project director.
“With consent now granted from East Lothian Council for planning permission in principle, we can progress to a detailed design which will allow us to build the infrastructure required to support the conversion of clean, green energy into the national grid.”
SSE Renewables is targeting a final investment decision on the project in 2025, subject to receiving a timely consent and offtake contract.
