UK - Cost of offshore transmission

The National Grid and the two electricity companies operating Scotland's transmission network have submitted multi-billion pound capital-expenditure plans to UK regulator Ofgem for the connection of new offshore wind farms.

The plans total £21 billion (€24 billion), with the majority of it committed to wind.

National Grid, which operates the grid in England and Wales, said that of its £14 billion capex plan, drawn up under its "Gone Green" low-carbon energy scenario, 60% would be to accommodate new power generation.

This would be derived from nuclear and gas power stations and wind farms, with much of the latter based offshore.

Scottish & Southern Energy wants to spend £4 billion in new transmission connections and ScottishPower £3 billion. Since no new nuclear power stations are to be built in Scotland, most of this will be to connect new wind-farm developments.

Ofgem will now study the investment plans and publish its preliminary comments in October. The transmission investment plans cover the period 2013 to 2021.

For more information on this article or if you would like to know more about what www.windfair.net can offer, please do not hesitate to contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net

www.windfair.net is the largest international B2B Internet platform – ultimately designed for connecting wind energy enthusiasts and companies across the globe!