Ofgem approves UK’s transmission investments for offshore wind
Ofgem has approved the strategic electricity transmission reinforcements required to deliver the UK Government’s 50 GW offshore wind by 2030 target.
Image source: Ofgem
UK, London: Ofgem has approved the strategic electricity transmission reinforcements required to deliver the UK Government’s 50 GW offshore wind by 2030 target.
The target is set out as part of the regulator’s Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework.
These include two 2 GW subsea HVDC links from Peterhead to England, both of which will be taken forward as joint ventures with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), a 2 GW subsea HVDC link from Spittal in Caithness, connecting to Peterhead, as well as a 1.8 GW subsea HVDC link from Arnish on the Western Isles to the Beauly area near Inverness.
According to SSEN, by confirming existing electricity transmission licensees will remain the delivery body for these reinforcements, Ofgem has provided the much-needed certainty required to support timely and accelerated delivery, including early supply chain engagement.
“Accelerating the development and delivery of the strategic electricity transmission infrastructure required to enable the deployment of homegrown and affordable, low carbon power, is arguably the most important enabler to securing the UK’s future energy security and net zero ambitions,” said Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission.
The up to 50 GW of offshore wind capacity, of which the UK Government would like to see up to 5 GW come in form of floating wind, is expected to be more than enough to power every home in the country.
Source: Offshore Energy
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