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Seagreen project : the biggest wind farm off-shore in Scotland
The Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm project aims at generating green electricity from wind energy. Seagreen will be Scotland’s largest and the world's deepest offshore wind farm when complete. The 114 Seagreen wind turbines with 1075 MW installed capacity will provide enough green energy to power more than 1.6 million homes, equivalent to two-thirds of all Scottish homes.
Main project's drivers for reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Energy sobriety and resources
Energy decarbonization
Improved energy efficiency
Improved efficiency in the use of non-energy resources
Emission removal
Financing low-carbon issuers or disinvestment from carbon assets
Reduction of other greenhouse gases emission
Project objectives
Contribute to decarbonize UK electricity mix
Detailed project description
With its low greenhouse gas emissions, wind power is a solution to decarbonize carbon intensive elctricity mixfuel of the future. TotalEnergies, as part of its ambition to be a world-class player in the energy transition, is developing its offshore wind power portfolio worldwide. The Seagreen project contributes to TotalEnergies’ target of 100 GW of installed renewable power generation capacity by 2030 and is aligned with the company’s ambition to get to net-zero emissions for all businesses by 2050, together with society.
The Seagreen Offshore Windfarm is making a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the UK electricity generation mix and to its net zero ambition by 2050 (2045 for Scotland).
Seagreen is also delivering significant economic benefit to Scotland and the UK. The project is powering a green, economic recovery and supporting high value green jobs in Scotland, including direct, contractor and supply chain roles.
In 2010, the Crown Estate awarded Seagreen Wind Energy Limited (SWEL, a joint venture between TotalEnergies – 51% – and SSE Renewables – 49%) the exclusive development rights for the Firth of Forth Zone of the UK’s Round 3 offshore wind farm development programme. The Zone, located at 27 km from the Angus coastline, covers an area of around 3091 km2 in the outer Firth of Forth.
SWEL works closely with stakeholders and undertook extensive surveys and assessments to develop the Seagreen offshore wind farm. 114 turbines are currently under construction for a total installed capacity of 1075 MW.
Emission scope(s)
on which the project has a significant impact
Scope 1
Direct emissions generated by the company's activity.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions associated with the company's electricity and heat consumption.
Scope 3
Emissions induced (upstream or downstream) by the company's activities, products and/or services in its value chain.
Emission Removal
Carbon sinks creation, (BECCS, CCU/S, …)
Avoided Emissions
Emissions avoided by the activities, products and/or services in charge of the project, or by the financing of emission reduction projects.
Avoided emissions : Decarbonisation of the UK electricity generation mix.
Quantification :
- The annual production is estimated at 4304 GWh.
- The carbon intensity of the UK power generation from non-renewable sources is 440 tCO2e/GWh.
In the operation phase, over 1.9 MtCO2e will therefore be avoided annually (all other things being equal).
- The project installed capacity is 1075 MW. The typical offshore wind load factor, as advised by BEIS for 2020, is 45.7% (link). This results in an estimated annual offshore wind farm production of 4304 GWh: 1075×0.457×8760 (nb of hours in a year) ÷ 1000 (to convert from MWh to GWh)
- The estimated GHG emissions from power generation from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas and other solid fuels, including non-renewable waste) in the UK in 2020 is 440 tCO2e/GWh (link).
- Assuming negligible GHG emissions in the operation phase of the offshore windfarm, individuals or businesses using green electricity from Seagreen instead of electricity from fossil-fuel power plants in the UK will reduce their annual scope 2 emissions by 4304 × 440 = 1893.76 ktCO2e.
Key points
Invested amount
3.5 G€
Starting date of the project
First power is expected mid-2022 with the offshore wind farm expected to enter commercial operation in the first half of 2023.
Project localisation
Scotland – UK. 27 km off the coast of Angus in the North Sea.
Project maturity level
Prototype laboratory test (TRL 7)
Real life testing (TRL 7-8)
Pre-commercial prototype (TRL 9)
Small-scale implementation
Medium to large scale implementation
Economic profitability of the project (ROI)
Short term (0-3 years)
Middle term (4-10 years)
Long term (> 10 years)
Illustrations of the project
The project contributes to SDG7 Affordable and clean energy by increasing the generation of renewable energy, as well as SDG13 Climate Action as offshore wind is critical to meeting the UK’s net-zero emission targets and is needed to deliver on ambitions set by the Climate Change Committee.
To ensure a low carbon footprint in its supply chain, as per SDG12 Responsible Consumption and production, the project has implemented several steps: inclusion of a sustainability questionnaire at the Invitation To Tender stage of procurement, signature of a Power Net Zero Pact with suppliers (including commitments to: achieve net zero emissions; protect and enhance the natural environment; transition to a circular economy; guarantee fair work and good green jobs; add value to communities), and incentive for suppliers to sign up to the Supply Chain Sustainability School (link).
The project also contributes to SDG8 Decent work and economic growth and SDG9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure by delivering significant economic benefit to Scotland and the UK. The project maximizes the local supply chain content and drives economic growth and investment in local infrastructures (e.g. Montrose Harbour). Once the offshore wind farm is commissioned, the Seagreen Operations and Maintenance base in Montrose will be home to up to 120 full-time operational roles working to maintain the wind farm’s turbines both from the Operations & Maintenance base and on offshore service operations vessels.
Finally, the project benefits SDG4 Quality Education by supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills in Dundee and Angus with a dedicated fund, and by encouraging contractors to address identified skills gaps and running local apprenticeship programmes.
The project can be replicated in all countries depending on the following conditions: energy costs, wind resource, local permitting, local subsidies and taxation and technical feasibility.
This project is aligned with the UK ambition to deliver 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and fits in TotalEnergies global offshore wind portfolio of more than 8 GW of projects under development and construction, including around 5 GW in the UK.
The project is a joint venture between TotalEnergies and SSE Renewables. In addition, the project is actively engaged in the following partnerships:
- R&D in collaboration with the UoS TIC (Technology & Innovation Centre | University of Strathclyde) to reduce the cost of Operations & Maintenance by improving wind farm performance
- Collaboration with the Montrose Port Authority to increase the supply chain capacity through continued investment in infrastructure & coordination of supply chain across wind farm developments
Contact the company carrying the project :
damien.burignat@totalenergies.com
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