Construction of the 588MW Beatrice offshore wind farm has been completed after the last of 84 turbines was commissioned off the Scottish coast.
The final 7MW Siemens Gamesa machine was installed in the Outer Moray Firth, around 13km off the coast of Caithness.
The project was built by a consortium comprising SSE Renewables (40%), Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (35%) and Red Rock Power Limited (25%).
Beatrice, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, was completed on time and under budget after three years of construction.
SSE Renewable director Jim Smith said: “Completing the offshore construction at Beatrice is a testament to the capabilities of SSE Renewables and our project partners.
“Delivering one of Scotland’s largest ever private investments on time and under budget is a fantastic achievement given its complexity and we would like to thank everyone who has helped us make the project a reality.”
SSE Renewables led on the construction process and will manage operations and maintenance from a new base in Wick that will employ around 90 full-time staff.
UK Business Secretary Greg Clark said Beatrice is “further evidence that the UK is the best place to invest” in renewables.
“In working with the government, the sector has shown it can deliver ever larger projects at ever lower costs while creating skilled, fulfilling, well-paid jobs.
“Our ground-breaking sector deal, signed earlier this year, will drive £250m into businesses in the UK offshore wind supply chain – keeping the UK at the forefront of this vibrant 21st century industry,” he added.
Scotland Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said the completion of Scotland’s first commercial scale offshore wind farm is an “important landmark for offshore wind in Scottish waters”.