SSE Renewables is inviting the public to visit an online showcase this month to find out more about the company’s plans for its up to 2300MW Berwick Bank offshore wind farm off Scotland’s East Lothian coast.
The company said it is encouraging residents, businesses, community groups and consultees in East Lothian to comment and provide initial feedback on the proposed Berwick Bank development during this first round of public consultation.
The showcase and consultation is running for three weeks from Monday 16 November to Monday 7 December.
During this period, details of the project are being shared online with the public via an online public exhibition at sserenewables.com/berwickbank as well as through a series of four live internet Q&A chat sessions taking place between 23 to 26 November.
The sessions on 23 and 24 November run from Midday to 2pm and from 6pm to 7pm on 25 and 26 November.
SSE said Berwick Bank would comprise up to 242 offshore turbines and is being developed alongside plans for the neighbouring up to 1.85GW Marr Bank offshore wind farm.
The two projects have different timescales, with the November public consultation and exhibition focusing on Berwick Bank.
The company is also undertaking a socio-economic study to help inform requirements for the project and will share the report with local authorities, port authorities and government in 2021.
The initial feedback received during this first phase of public consultation will help inform the ongoing design of the Berwick Bank proposal.
Following any project revisions, it is expected a further round of public exhibitions will take place in Spring 2021 before consent applications are submitted later that year.
If consented for development, and subject to a final investment decision by SSE Renewables, construction of Berwick Bank could begin in 2024 with the wind farm generating first power in 2027 and fully operational by 2028.
Berwick Bank consents team manager Louise Davis said: “Today, we’re unveiling plans for our new Berwick Bank offshore wind farm which could have an installed capacity of up to 2.3GW, making it one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms if constructed.
“At this point in our consenting process for a project we would traditionally hold village and townhall exhibitions but, due to Covid-19 and current advice regarding holding events in person, we have moved all our exhibition material online.
“To support the public in finding out more about Berwick Bank we are also hosting a series of live chats online where members of our project will be available to answer questions.
“Through this virtual public consultation and exhibition process we are looking forward to meeting local residents and community groups, to showcasing our Berwick Bank proposals, and to receiving early-stage feedback from local communities and consultees.”