£12 Billion Investment Announced for Vanguard Offshore Wind Farms
RWE and KKR have announced a total investment of £12 billion to proceed with the Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind farms, according to The Guardian's live coverage. Offshore wind farms are arrays of turbines built in the sea, and the two Vanguard projects are set to be operational by 2030.
Once running, the Vanguard wind farms will have the capacity to supply the equivalent of around three million UK homes. The investment is expected to support more than 2,400 jobs during construction and operation. Offshore construction is set to begin in early 2027, and onshore works are already well advanced.
The same day, SSE announced the latest phase of its Berwick Bank B offshore wind farm, which it said will back 2,677 skilled jobs across the north of England and Scotland. SSE has contracted Siemens Energy to manufacture the wind turbines and substation platforms for the project. Berwick Bank B also includes the creation of 130 new project delivery roles in Glasgow and Montrose.
Berwick Bank, off the east coast of Scotland, could become the world's largest offshore wind farm at full capacity, capable of meeting more than 6% of current UK electricity demand. The government's announcement quotes Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcoming the windfarm announcements as a vote of confidence in building in Britain and good news for billpayers.
