A planning application has been launched to construct the UK’s largest offshore windfarm 23 miles off the East Lothian coast.
Berwick Bank would have the capability of providing enough electricity to power more than five million homes, with it being the largest offshore wind farm planning application to be submitted in the UK to date.
The consent process for onshore elements of the SSE Renewables project has now opened, with it being considered by East Lothian Council. The process runs alongside the offshore consent process, which kicked off in December 2022 and is being considered by the Scottish Government. A final decision by authorities is expected later this year, SSE Renewables said.
The firm said that Berwick Bank would provide ‘multiple’ benefits for the economy, environment, and energy security – as well as acting as a ‘major catalyst’ for supply chain investment in Scotland.
Berwick Bank project director, Alex Meredith, said,“Berwick Bank is a win-win for the climate and nature. If we consent Berwick, Scotland will be leading the world in the delivery of offshore wind energy and we will provide a long-term solution to help Scotland’s iconic seabirds thrive. This is an opportunity we must progress rapidly.”
The team behind the project have based the design on fixed-bottom technology so that it can be delivered quickly at scale.
Alex continued, “We’re aiming to begin delivering the first energy from 2027, so it’s a very short lead time for a project of this size. We will be urging the planning authorities to consider the application quickly to allow us to deliver our largest wind farm to date, in the shortest time possible.
“Berwick Bank can be a massive step forward in the delivery of renewable capacity and lessen reliance on fossil fuels and volatile imported energy supplies.
“The world needs more renewable energy, and we are committed to helping meet Scotland and the UK’s net zero targets. Our proposals also focus on managing the fishing of sand eels better in Scotland to protect our most vulnerable seabird colonies.”
