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Transmission licence exemptions for offshore wind farm generators affected by COVID-19 - consultation

"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."

10 June 2020 - consultation opened

10 July 2020 - consultation closed

31 July 2020 - outcome published:

"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."