SSE Renewables

Wind

When SSE entered into the agreement to acquire Airtricity (now re-named SSE Renewables for renewable energy development) in January 2008, the combined business had just over 870MW of onshore wind farm capacity in operation, in construction or with consent for development in the UK and Ireland. This capacity now totals 1,780MW, comprising:

When SSE entered into the agreement to acquire Airtricity (now re-named SSE Renewables for renewable energy development) in January 2008, the combined business had just over 870MW of onshore wind farm capacity in operation, in construction or with consent for development in the UK and Ireland. This capacity now totals 1,780MW, comprising:

• 840MW in operation;
• 790MW in construction or pre-construction; and
• 150MW with consent for development.

SSE has a total of 14 wind farm projects currently under construction and expects a total of over 100MW of onshore wind farm capacity currently under construction to be commissioned during 2010/11. In addition to the timely completion of construction work, the commissioning of wind farm developments is dependent on their ability to connect to the electricity network. This has been identified as one of the key barriers to new renewable energy across the UK and Ireland.

SSE now has:

• over 3,400MW of renewable energy capacity (onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro and dedicated biomass) in operation, under construction or with consent in the UK ad the Republic of Ireland (excluding Arklow in the Republic of Ireland); and
• over 1,400MW of offshore wind farm capacity with consent for development in Europe (including Arklow).

In addition, we have submitted proposal to develop a 540MW wind farm on Shetland's central mainland as a result of our joint venture with Viking Energy Ltd (which is 90% owned by Shetland Charitable Trust ) and SSE.

SSE has also made progress in the following key areas:

• Clyde onshore wind farm (350MW): the wind farm is being developed in three sections - South, Central and North. The South section (130MW) should be completed by the end of 2011 and the entire wind farm should be completed by the end of 2012.
• Griffin onshore wind farm (156MW): the main construction work is now getting under way. Turbine installation is expected to begin in the first half of 2011, with the wind farm due to be commissioned in 2012.
• Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm (500MW; 50% stake): the first turbines are expected to be commissioned in late summer and early autumn, and the first export of electricity will then take place. The entire wind farm remains scheduled to be completed in 2012.
• Walney offshore wind farm (367MW; 25.1% stake): the first phase (183.6MW) is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2011 and the second phase in the first half of 2012.

Marine

In February 2009, we entered into a joint venture with Aquamarine Power, in which we have a 50%stake aimed at developing sites in the UK and the Republic of Ireland capable of hosting 1,000MW of marine energy capacity by 2020.

As the leading generator of renewable energy in the UK, SSE is committed to building on its existing renewable portfolio by developing viable wave and tidal sites using industry-leading marine technologies. It will now work closely with statutory bodies, local communities and The Crown Estate to take forward this significant opportunity.