The Scottish Government has granted consent for the Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, a decision that comes after more than ten years of comprehensive development led by SSE Renewables. This project holds significant potential for the UK economy, with estimated value generation of approximately £8 billion and the creation of over 9,000 jobs across the country.
Once operational at full capacity, the Berwick Bank offshore wind farm is expected to produce enough renewable energy to supply more than six million households annually, positioning it as a cornerstone in the UK’s clean energy transformation.
SSE has welcomed the government’s approval of the 4.1 GW offshore wind project, located around 38 kilometres off the coast of the Scottish Borders. The development is seen as a key driver of Scotland’s ambitions for net zero and a critical component in supporting the broader UK target of expanding clean power infrastructure.
The consent determination under Section 36 by Scottish ministers covers the main offshore wind array situated in the outer Firth of Forth, just off East Lothian’s coastline. This marks the final significant regulatory approval required for the project to move forward, concluding a decade-long design and development process undertaken by SSE Renewables.
Project execution will now depend on the successful award of a low-carbon power contract under the UK Government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, along with a positive final investment decision.
The Berwick Bank offshore wind farm is considered essential to meeting the UK’s 2030 clean energy goals and also contributes meaningfully to the energy security strategies of both the Scottish and UK administrations. If completed as planned, it would become the largest offshore wind development in the world, capable of delivering substantial amounts of zero-carbon electricity.
At the peak of its construction phase, the project could support as many as 9,300 direct, indirect and induced roles within the UK, with nearly half of those located in Scotland. Throughout its anticipated operational lifetime, it is projected to generate £8.3 billion in economic value across the UK, reinforcing its significance not only as an energy asset but also as a national infrastructure investment.
The consent for the core offshore wind array is a critical milestone aligned with the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which targets up to 50 GW of installed offshore wind capacity within the next five years. With this project alone, Scotland stands to expand its existing renewable electricity output by almost a quarter, accelerating progress toward its 2045 net zero target.
Stephen Wheeler, Managing Director, SSE Renewables said:
“The Scottish Government’s decision to grant a consent order for Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm is hugely welcome. At over 4GW of potential capacity, Berwick Bank can play a pivotal role in meeting the mission of Clean Power 2030 for the UK and achieving Scotland’s decarbonisation and climate action goals.
“As the UK’s clean energy champion, SSE now looks forward to the UK Government delivering the most ambitious CfD scheme yet through the upcoming AR7 auction round.
“Berwick Bank has the potential to rapidly scale-up Scotland’s operational renewable energy capacity and can accelerate the delivery of homegrown, affordable and secure clean energy to UK consumers from Scottish offshore wind, helping meet the UK’s clean power ambition by 2030.”