Transmission licence exemptions for offshore wind farm generators affected by COVID-19
Detail of outcome
The majority of views expressed clear support for the exemptions in the terms proposed during the notice period. There was consensus on 3 of the 4 projects, but differing views about the fourth.
The Secretary of State has decided that it is appropriate to provide the affected projects with an exemption and to retain the proposed 12-month exemption period for Beatrice and Rampion, and 3-month exemption period for East Anglia One.
Given the lack of consensus in relation to the proposed 12-month exemption for Hornsea 1, the government has decided to provide a shorter exemption for this project. The Secretary of State is therefore granting Hornsea 1 a 6-month exemption.
These exemptions are intended to allow sufficient time for parties to complete works and conclude commercial negotiations, accounting for the material delays already experienced due to the impacts of COVID-19 and any further uncertainty relating to ongoing impacts.
The Electricity (Individual Exemptions from the Requirement for a Transmission Licence) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 is on legislation.gov.uk, along with the Explanatory Memorandum.
Detail of feedback received
We received 8 responses to this consultation from people and organisations directly affected by the exemptions, including:
- devolved government
- offshore wind farm generators
- transmission asset developers
- offshore transmission owners (OFTO)
- investors
All responses supported the general proposal to grant the proposed exemptions.
Original consultation
Consultation description
The Energy Act states that electricity transmission must be licensed. For new offshore wind farms, the generator typically builds the transmission asset and can own and operate the offshore transmission system for a commissioning period of 18 months without being required to hold a transmission licence.
This consultation seeks views on a proposed exemption order for wind farm generators in tender rounds 5 and 6 of the offshore transmission owner (OFTO) regime, who have been affected by COVID-19. The order will extend the commissioning period to account for the impacts of COVID-19.
See the BEIS consultation privacy notice.
Please do not send responses by post to the department at the moment as we may not be able to access them.
Documents
Updates to this page
Last updated 31 July 2020 + show all updates
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Outcome of consultation published along with link to Statutory Instrument on the Legislation website.
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First published.