UK's Berwick Bank offshore wind farm project approved
The Scottish government recently announcement consenting for the Berwick Bank wind farm, one of world's largest offshore wind farms. With an anticipated capacity of 4.1GW and a target to connect significant generation by 2030, Berwick Bank is a significant project, and includes a HVDC transmission solution.
Berwick Bank’s technical overview confirms the installation of up to four HVDC export cables, as well as both offshore and onshore converter stations, including at Cambois and East Lothian, supporting two grid connection points—the Scottish Power Energy Networks 400kV substation near Torness and the Blyth substation. These electrical infrastructures reflect a strategic choice to exploit HVDC’s capacity for efficient high-volume transmission across considerable distances—38km offshore to landfall—with markedly reduced electrical losses compared to traditional HVAC. The HVDC system underpins the robust interconnection for 307 turbines and a series of offshore platforms, which collectively accelerate the Scottish and UK Government mandate to rapidly scale renewables and decarbonise the grid.
Critical HVDC design decisions for Berwick Bank have been shaped not only by ambitions for high-capacity low-loss transmission, but by participation in pioneering research, such as the BLADE initiative led by SP Energy Networks. Through collaborative modelling and demonstration, the project is exploring the role of offshore HVDC-connected windfarms in black start and grid restoration scenarios—a key subject at industry roundtables and technical forums. The involvement of the National HVDC Centre and other sector leaders signals Berwick Bank’s intention to advance best practice and system resilience standards for the wider GB electricity network.
Industry observers will appreciate that Berwick Bank is explicitly designed to catalyse broader HVDC adoption along the UK’s critical offshore wind corridor. The project’s consent, coupled with its strong collaboration between developers, grid operators, and technology suppliers, underscores a commitment to whole-systems integration. Meanwhile, it remains a primary case study for the development of commercial and regulatory frameworks that will define the next phase of HVDC deployment across the UK and beyond.
In summary, the announcement places HVDC not merely as an enabling technology, but as central to both the scale-up of renewables and the future resilience of national grids. Berwick Bank’s implementation choices, research involvement, and system architecture provide a reference point for the technical community, advancing HVDC expertise and industry standards as the UK approaches its 2030 offshore wind targets.
