Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm Seagreen in Firth of Forth now fully operational

Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm is now fully operational and generating clean, renewable energy to Britain’s power grid, SSE Renewables and its partner TotalEnergies have announced.

Seagreen, located 27km off the Angus coast in the North Sea’s Firth of Forth, is now Scotland’s largest wind farm as well as the world’s deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farm, with its deepest foundation installed at a record 58.7 metres below sea level.

The project has the capacity to generate enough renewable electricity to power almost 1.6 million homes annually, equivalent to two-thirds of all Scottish homes.

Seagreen also has the capability to displace over two million tonnes of carbon dioxide from electricity generated by fossil fuels every year – making a significant contribution to Scotland’s net-zero ambition.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said that the “significant milestone” was a “fantastic example of the work being done to unleash Scotland’s renewable potential”.

He added: “Delivering on our climate obligations is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government – so too is our unwavering commitment to a just transition for workers.

“We are determined to maximise the economic opportunity Scotland’s offshore wind potential presents, by developing local supply chains, embedding innovation, boosting skills, creating jobs, and benefitting people and communities.”

UK energy security secretary Claire Coutinho said: “Offshore wind is a resounding British success story and Seagreen becoming 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 windfarms off its shores.

“Producing enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1.6million British homes, Seagreen will help deliver on our net zero ambitions and provide cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy around the country.”

Seagreen, which is a joint venture between TotalEnergies and SSE Renewables, was one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in Scotland.

Delivery of the project supported a £1bn-plus economic boost to the Scottish economy during construction, supporting around 4,000 Scottish jobs, according to independent analysis published by PwC.

The project was first awarded exclusive development rights for the Firth of Forth Zone site by Crown Estate Scotland in 2010 and was consented for development by Scottish Government Ministers in 2014 ahead of construction beginning in June 2020.

The first Vestas 10 MW turbine was installed in December 2021, with first power achieved in August 2022 ahead of the installation of the final turbine at the site earlier this summer.

Now completed, power from Seagreen’s 114 turbines is being exported from the North Sea site via three subsea cables to landfall at Carnoustie, and then through 19km of underground cabling to a new onshore substation at Tealing near Dundee, before being distributed to homes and businesses via the GB power grid.

Stephen Wheeler, managing director, SSE Renewables, said: “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.”