SSE has picked Siemens Energy for the Berwick Bank B turbines and offshore substations contract in Scotland. The 1.4 GW offshore wind project now has a preferred supplier for both packages. The appointment is subject to a final investment decision and final contract award. SSE stated that the agreement could create 2,677 skilled positions in the UK. The project is part of the larger 4.3 GW Berwick Bank complex, one of the world’s largest offshore wind developments.
Other Projects
The ACWA Power wind project deal in Türkiye has expanded to a $5 billion joint project. The Phase 2 agreement was signed by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and also Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar on Tuesday. It includes 3,000 MW of new wind power, which was agreed at the COP31 summit in Antalya. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in attendance.
Scope of the Berwick Bank B turbines and substations contract
Berwick Bank B is located approximately 38km out to sea in the outer Firth of Forth off the coast of Scotland. The project was awarded a UK Allocation Round 7 Contract for Difference earlier this year. The proposed agreement is based on Siemens Energy’s existing manufacturing footprint in the UK for wind turbines and offshore substation platforms.
The jobs split is between the two countries. There are 2,677 jobs, of which 2,222 are in northern England. Siemens Gamesa’s manufacturing process for blades is carried out in Hull, engineering in Manchester and assembly in Newcastle. There are 455 roles in Scotland, of which 130 are new. SSE is anticipating 200 engineering and project delivery roles in Glasgow, of which 80 are new. Siemens Energy also backs 255 delivery and servicing positions, including 50 new positions at Montrose Port.
Siemens Energy is also establishing a new office in Glasgow, which will have up to 150 employees. The announcement brings SSE’s overall Berwick Bank B employment to over 3,000, of which nearly 1,000 are in Scotland.
SSE chief executive Martin Pibworth described the agreement as national industrial capacity. “This one project can create thousands of high quality jobs and industrial capability from Hull, Newcastle and Manchester to Glasgow and Montrose through our partnership with Siemens Energy,” Pibworth said. Berwick Bank could be the world’s biggest offshore wind farm, helping to boost Britain’s energy security and supporting skills, factories and supply chains as it is delivered.
Outlook for the 4.3 GW Berwick Bank project
Berwick Bank could supply over 6% of the UK’s current electricity demand at full capacity. The complex would power almost 7 million homes annually. The schedule is expected to continue through FID in late 2027 and preparatory offshore works in 2028. Installation of turbines and substations follows from 2030 to 2032.
The award was linked to the government’s industrial policy by UK Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh. Investment in offshore wind and clean power is generating quality jobs and industry, and providing the clean power we need to reduce bills and achieve net zero,” Fahnbulleh said. The Scottish roles were announced at the COP31 summit by Scottish Energy Minister Stephen Gethins at SSE’s Glasgow office. The Berwick Bank B project by SSE will now create almost 1,000 jobs in Scotland, including the 130 new positions announced today in Glasgow and Montrose, Gethins said.
Project Overview
- Project Value: Not disclosed
- Capacity: 1.4 GW Berwick Bank B phase
- Location: Outer Firth of Forth, 38km offshore
- Developer: SSE
- Preferred Supplier: Siemens Energy
Scope
- Wind turbines supply contract
- Offshore substation platforms
- 2,677 jobs also supported across UK
- Also 2.2m homes-scale Scottish phase
Project Highlights
- Part of 4.3 GW Berwick Bank complex
- World’s largest offshore wind potential
- Powers almost 7 million homes
- AR7 Contract for Difference also secured
Key Developments
- Preferred supplier named Tuesday
- 130 new Scottish roles created
- New Glasgow office up to 150 staff
- FID also expected in late 2027
Key Challenges
- Final contract award still pending
- FID also scheduled for late 2027
- Installation runs 2030 to 2032
- Also subject to final decision
Outlook
- Offshore preparation begins 2028
- Turbines install 2030 through 2032
- Full complex also spans 4.3 GW
- 6 percent of UK demand
Leave a Reply