Total joins giant offshore wind farm project in Scottish North Sea

Total has entered into an agreement with SSE Renewables, to acquire a 51 per cent stake in the Seagreen 1 offshore wind farm project for an upfront payment at closing of £70 million.

The 1,140 megawatts (MW) project has reached simultaneously a final investment decision and financial close. The purchase agreement also covers a potential extension opportunity of up to 360 MW.

Located 27 kilometers from the coastline in Scottish waters of UK North Sea, Seagreen 1 has secured all necessary major permits and onshore construction began in Q1 2020. Designed to cover the energy needs of around 1 million homes, the project will start producing renewable electricity from end of 2022.

The project represents a global investment of around US$3.7 billion. Total has secured close to 70 per cent of external financing for its 51 per cent stake. 

“Total builds up a strong position in the world’s largest offshore wind market, as it becomes a majority stakeholder in the Seagreen 1 project, one of the largest offshore wind farms in the UK North Sea. This move represents a major change of scale for Total’s offshore wind activity in line with our strategy of profitable growth in renewables and low carbon electricity,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman & CEO of Total. “As one of the main actors in the UK energy sector, Total will leverage its extensive expertise in offshore operations and maintenance to contribute to the success of the project alongside country’s leading offshore wind developer, SSE Renewables”.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Total to deliver Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, Seagreen, which will make a significant contribution to the UK’s green recovery from coronavirus by unlocking £3bn of low carbon investment and generating the low carbon power we need to reach net zero. Today’s announcement is the result of great efforts by both teams to successfully complete this transaction in the current challenging circumstances. Total’s extensive global experience in the offshore environment combined with their clear ambition to contribute to the development of renewable energy worldwide is a strong fit with SSE Renewables’ strategic objective to treble our renewable output by 2030”, said SSE’s Chief Executive, Alistair Phillip-Davies.

Seagreen 1 benefits from a 15-year CfD (Contract for Difference) awarded by the UK Government for 454 MW, representing 42 per cent of the total project capacity. An additional 30 per cent of the project capacities will also be contracted under a private CfD with the SSE Group. Both contracts contribute to securing project revenues. 

The transaction remains subject to conditions precedent, including public authorities approval and should be finalised by July 2020.