RenewableUK has welcomed today’s £2.6 billion Final Investment Decision by SSE, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and SDIC Power of China to build Beatrice offshore wind farm.
In total, the UK now has more than 10 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity operating, under construction or with final investment decisions taken.
With 5.1GW operational, 0.8GW being built and 4.3GW having reached FID, offshore wind is set to provide 10% of the UK’s electricity needs by 2020, and it already delivers 5%, according to RenewableUK.
Beatrice offshore wind project represents one of the largest private investments ever made in Scottish infrastructure.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Hugh McNeal said: “It’s terrific to see another multi-billion pound international investment in our global-leading offshore wind industry.
“We now know that by 2020, 10% of the UK’s electricity will be generated by offshore wind farms, securing jobs and investment all over our country”.
10GW will power the equivalent of more than a quarter of UK households a year – over 7 and a half million homes.