First Minister John Swinney officially opened a new renewables control centre in Perth at SSE’s city headquarters on Friday. This development comes as SSE Renewables’ onshore wind, solar, and battery operating portfolio expanded last year to nearly 2.5GW. This growth followed the completion of the 443MW Viking Wind Farm in Shetland and a 50MW battery energy storage system in Salisbury, both of which began commercial operations in 2024.
The onshore operating portfolio has contributed £62m in index-linked community benefit funding across Great Britain, with £58m allocated to communities in Scotland. This funding has supported over four thousand community projects in rural Scotland, including the construction of 105 community-owned houses and improvement of 366 community assets such as medical centres, shops, and sports facilities.
In Perth and Kinross, SSE Renewables’ Sustainable Development Fund has already invested £1.1m in 36 community-led projects, including the Crannog Centre in Kenmore and the Wasps Creative Exchange in Perth. The upcoming round of the £250k Perth and Kinross Sustainable Development Fund will be open for eligible projects in Spring 2025.
The new control centre, designed with input from operational staff, will enhance SSE Renewables’ operational capabilities to support projected growth in its onshore wind, solar, and battery portfolio. With more than 800MW of onshore renewables currently under construction across the UK and Ireland, this control centre will play a crucial role in the safe and efficient management of existing and future operations.
First Minister Swinney praised the centre, emphasizing its importance in helping Scotland achieve renewable energy and climate targets. Heather Donald, director of onshore wind, solar, and battery at SSE Renewables, highlighted the significance of the new facility in advancing the transition to a clean energy system, ensuring Scotland’s prominent role in the energy transition for years to come.
In conclusion, the opening of the renewables control centre in Perth marks a significant milestone in Scotland’s renewable energy sector, showcasing a commitment to sustainable development and community support. This investment underscores the vital role that renewables play in driving Scotland towards a greener future and highlights the collaborative efforts between government and industry to achieve renewable energy goals.