SSE PLC (LSE:SSE) has announced that Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, Seagreen, has begun producing power at full capacity after more than a decade since plans were conceived.
Through 114 turbines, Seagreen is capable of providing enough electricity for around two-thirds of Scotland’s homes, with a capacity of 1.08GW.
“Not only has it become Scotland's largest [...] but it also results in the UK having the world's five largest operational windfarms off its shores,” energy secretary Claire Coutinho said.
Some of the turbines’ foundations stretch to 58.7 metres below sea level, SSE added, making it the world’s deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farm.
SSE Renewables managing director Stephen Wheeler hailed the commissioning of the plant as a “landmark moment” given its development in such deep water.
“This makes Seagreen a pioneer for future developments in deeper waters so they can be built faster and more efficiently,” he said.
The wind farm, which was a joint project between SSE and TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TOT, EPA:TTE), was initially granted development rights by the Crown Estate in 2010, before gaining government consent in 2020.
Given the lengthy approval process, SSE Renewables offshore wind director Paul Cooley urged pace on future developments.
“I think if we don't speed things up we'll just not hit the targets,” he told the BBC, referencing the UK’s aim of installing 50GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
“That's the reality so there's a real imperative now to move much faster in terms of hurdles like grids, like consents and like pricing in the supply chain,” he added.