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SSE signs contract for offshore windfarm

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has announced to plans in partnership with construction firm Fluor to build the world's largest offshore windfarm.

The Greater Gabbard offshore windfarm project is expected to cost around £1.8 billion, with SSE holding a 50 per cent stake in the venture.

It will feature 140 wind turbines, each capable of producing an output of 3.6MW. The project will also entail the construction of a new electricity substation in Sizewell, Suffolk.

Work is scheduled to commence in summer 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2011.

Patrick Flaherty, senior vice president of Fluor, said: "We are extremely proud to be the first of the UK's round two offshore wind farm projects awarded by The Crown Estate to move into the construction phase.

"Greater Gabbard will make a meaningful contribution to the UK Government’s renewable energy targets."

SSE currently employs in excess of 13,000 people in the UK, it draws its energy from over 150 power plants across the country and has a production capacity of over 10,000MW of electricity.

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