SSE has welcomed the decision by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to grant development consent for the North Falls Offshore Wind Farm, which will feature up to 57 offshore turbines.

The project is being progressed as a 50/50 joint venture between SSE Renewables and RWE Offshore Wind (RWE). It is designed as an extension to the southern array of the current, operational 504 megawatt (MW) Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm. Greater Gabbard itself is also a 50/50 joint venture between SSE and RWE, with SSE managing operations on behalf of both partners.

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The Development Consent Order (DCO) for North Falls permits the construction of up to 57 offshore wind turbines and foundations, alongside a maximum of two offshore substation platforms and foundations. These installations will be situated within a 90-square-kilometre project site, located around 40 kilometres from the closest point of the East Anglia coast.

The scheme possesses a maximum generation export capacity of up to 1GW. Additionally, following the release of The Crown Estate's Capacity Increase Programme last year, it has a potential installed capacity reaching up to 900MW.

The ultimate delivery of the North Falls project remains dependent on securing a route to market, as well as final investment decisions being made by the joint venture shareholders in accordance with their individual investment returns criteria.