UK regulator receives cost of offshore transmission

UK: 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

by Staff 18 August 2011

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.