SSE gets the wind up at Greater Gabbard

SSE has hailed a major milestone at its wind farm at Greater Gabbard in the Thames Estuary, as all 140 turbines have been commissioned.

Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Limited (GGOWL), a 50-50 joint venture between SSE and German outfit RWE npower renewables, is now responsible for the operation for the day-to-day operation of the wind farm which, on a good day can churn out 500 megawatts (mw) of energy.

The only cloud on the horizon for GGOWL seems to be the dispute with contractor Fluor, which rumbles on. GGOWL has taken issue with the quality of up to 52 of the upper foundations supporting turbines and up to 35 lower foundations supporting the same turbines, as it doubts the structures will last for the stipulated time as specified at the design stage.

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"The issues with regard to some of the turbine foundations are well-known, and we are continuing our effort to secure a satisfactory resolution to them through a process of arbitration. In the meantime, Greater Gabbard is now a substantial operating asset that is already contributing a significant amount of electricity to help meet the UK's low carbon energy objectives," said Jim Smith, Managing Director of Renewables at SSE.

SSE's total net capacity for generating electricity at offshore wind farms, including Walney and turbines at Greater Gabbard which are not the subject of dispute, now exceeds 250mw; including the disputed turbines, it is now 340mw.

Shares in SSE were down 15p at 1,360p in the afternoon session.

JH