Ofgem shortlists UK transmission owners

UK: Energy regulator Ofgem has shortlisted four groups to compete for the tender to own and operate the transmission links for the Westermost Rough and Humber Gateway offshore projects.

by David Weston 20 August 2014

The first Siemens 6MW turbine has been installed at Westermost Rough

Balfour Beatty Equitix Consortium, Blue Transmission Consortium, Mari Energy Transmission and Transmission Capital Partners have been shortlisted to be appointed the offshore transmission owner (OFTO) for the two offshore projects.

Ofgem expects to announce the winners of the contracts, worth in total approximately £400 million (EUR 500 million), next year.

The transmission links are being tendered under the third round of the OFTO regime, set up in 2009, which auctions off the links competitively.

Blue Transmission Consortium consists of investment group 3i, the Mitsubishi-owned Diamond UK Transmission Corporation and operator Frontier Power. It has already been appointed OFTO of several UK offshore projects, including West of Duddon Sands and London Array.

The 219MW Humber Gateway, developed by E.on, and the 210MW Westermost Rough, being developed by Dong Energy, are currently under construction off England's west coast.