Electricity supply licence exemption: Green Volt Offshore Wind Farm
A proposal to provide an exemption from the requirement to hold a supply licence.
Documents
Details
We asked for views on an exemption proposed by Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn, from the requirement to hold a supply licence in respect of the Green Volt Floating Offshore Wind Farm. The deadline for submissions was 6pm on 9 February 2024.
The intended location of the wind farm is 80km off the coast of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The proposed exemption relates solely to an electricity supply activity that the wind farm operator intends to undertake. It does not relate to any electricity generation activity the wind farm operator intends to undertake, nor any planning and consenting process which Green Volt Floating Offshore Wind Farm must comply with.
Outcome
After careful consideration of the exemption application, the principal objective and general duties under section 3A of Electricity Act 1989, and these representations, the Secretary of State is minded to grant the exemption under the proposed conditions, subject to the successful conclusion of statutory and parliamentary procedures.
Summary of responses
We received 4 representations in response to this notice, including one from the supplier and wind farm operator, Green Volt Offshore Wind Farm Limited. They expressed strong support for the proposed supply licence exemption and requested a technical amendment to the substation coordinates described in the exemption order to allow flexibility during planning and construction.
In line with our statutory obligations, we consulted:
- Ofgem
- Citizens Advice
- Scottish Ministers
- Consumer Scotland
We received a representation from the Scottish Minister for Energy and the Environment, Gillian Martin MSP. The Minister highlighted that the Secretary of State’s findings regarding the proposed exemption align with the priorities of the Scottish Government and Scottish Ministers.
We also received a representation from National Union for Rail Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) who raised concerns about employment protections for wind power supply chains and the ownership structure of the supplier. These issues are outside the scope of electricity supply licences and exemptions.
We received one confidential response that did not raise any material concerns.
Last updated 28 March 2024 + show all updates
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Added detail of the outcome of the proposed exemption.
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We have extended the closing date to 9 February.
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First published.