First Minister John Swinney MSP has today officially opened SSE’s new onshore wind, solar and battery control centre at the company’s headquarters in Perth, Scotland.
It comes after SSE Renewables’ onshore wind, solar and battery operating portfolio grew last year to almost 2.5GW, following the completion of the 443MW Viking Wind Farm in Shetland and its 50MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Salisbury.
Both projects entered commercial operations in 2024.
Collectively, the onshore operating portfolio has delivered £62m in index linked community benefit funding across Britain, with £58m in Scotland alone.
This has helped to unlock over 4000 community projects in rural Scotland.
The Onshore Control Centre, designed with the feedback of operational staff, will enhance SSE Renewables’ operational facilities in support of expected future growth in its onshore wind, solar and battery portfolio.
With over 800MW of onshore renewables now in construction across the UK and Ireland, SSE said the new control centre is a key investment in enabling the efficient management of existing and future operations.
Swinney said: “SSE’s new onshore renewable energy control centre in Perth will play a critical role in helping Scotland meet our shared renewable energy and climate ambitions.
“SSE has made significant progress made towards building a cleaner energy system and the Scottish government is absolutely committed to working with the industry to achieve this goal.
“Having toured these state-of-the-art facilities, it is clear the investment that SSE is putting into the transition to a clean energy system.
“Meeting members of operational staff has underlined the fantastic opportunities that are being created by this investment and the talent that SSE and industry has to help drive forward the energy transition.”
Director of onshore wind, solar and battery at SSE Renewables Heather Donald said: “We are delighted to have welcomed First Minister John Swinney to officially open our new Onshore Control Centre at Inveralmond House.
“As the UK races to a homegrown energy system anchored in clean green renewable power, our investment in this vital operational centre ensures Scotland, with its incredible wind resource, will remain at the heart of the energy transition for decades to come.”
Photo: L-R, Director of asset management Ross Fenton, First Minister John Swinney, director of onshore wind, solar and battery Heather Donald, and control room manager Stuart Hardy at the official opening.