Barrow OFTO
OperationalOffshore GridGB90 MW132 kV30.1 km2006
Basic information
9 fieldsAlso Known As
TC Barrow OFTO Ltd · TC Barrow OFTO Limited · Barrow Offshore Transmission Assets · Barrow Transmission Assets · Barrow offshore transmission project · Barrow Offshore Transmission Owner · Barrow offshore wind farm transmission assets
Status
operational
Capacity
90 MW
Project Company
Type
offshore grid
Transmission Model
Developer Build & Transfer
Expected Life
20 years
Website
Supply Chain (6)
Project Timeline (18)
31 Mar 2022Operations Other
By the year ending 31 March 2022, TC Barrow OFTO Limited reported that the Barrow offshore transmission assets continued to be provided in accordance with the OFTO licence and that the project had maintained 100% availability, exceeding the availability targets set out in its transmission licence and supporting stable transmission service receipts from National Grid Electricity Transmission plc.
2 Aug 2016Procurement Other
Offshore Wind Consultants Limited (OWC) was engaged by Transmission Capital Services Limited (TCS) to provide technical consultancy services on contingency planning and other services for the OFTO assets managed by TCS, including TC Barrow OFTO Limited. The contract scope covers preparation of cable repair and maintenance strategies, development of contract strategies for future maintenance contracts, preparation of specifications and tender packages, and detailed employer’s requirements for cable repair operations for different water depths and cable types.
Sept 2011Fid Financial Close
In September 2011, International Public Partnerships (INPP) reached financial close on the long-term ownership and operation of the Barrow Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) link to the 90 MW Barrow offshore wind farm. This financial close secured the funding package required for TC Barrow OFTO Ltd to acquire and operate the transmission assets, which were transferred for a final asset transfer value of £33.6 million.
19 Jul 2011Revenue Secured
On 19 July 2011, Ofgem granted an offshore transmission licence to TC Barrow OFTO Limited, a company incorporated by the Transmission Capital Partners consortium, to own and operate the Barrow transmission assets. This licence award confirmed the project’s regulated revenue regime under the OFTO framework, with Transmission Capital Partners incorporating Ofgem’s assessed transfer value into its tender revenue stream and receiving availability‑based allowed revenue as set out in subsequent OFTO revenue determinations.
5 Aug 2010Joint Venture Formed
On 5 August 2010, Transmission Capital Partners was declared preferred bidder for the Barrow offshore transmission licence and established TC Barrow OFTO Ltd as a special purpose company to acquire the Barrow offshore transmission assets, marking a key financial and commercial milestone ahead of licence grant and asset transfer.
22 Jul 2009Procurement Notice
On 22 July 2009, Ofgem published the Barrow Offshore Transmission Assets Preliminary Information Memorandum to support the launch of the initial pre-qualification phase of the first OFTO tender for the Barrow transmission assets. The document set out the opportunity for investors to acquire the Barrow offshore transmission assets and become the licensed OFTO, and established an initial Assessed Transfer Value of £36.5 million for the assets, forming the financial basis for the competitive revenue tender process.
25 Jun 2009Procurement Notice
Transmission Capital issued an OJEU contract notice titled "OFTO offshore cable repair and maintenance services", launching procurement for offshore export cable repair and maintenance services. The notice is structured into lots, with Lot 1 specifically covering services for the Barrow wind farm OFTO, signalling the start of market tendering for long‑term cable repair and maintenance support for the Barrow transmission assets.
2006Major Maintenance
Following commissioning of the Barrow transmission assets in February 2006, the developer undertook remedial reburial works on the subsea export cable after identifying that it had been installed at insufficient burial depth during initial construction. These post‑commissioning works were carried out to improve cable protection, and the associated costs were later submitted by Barrow Offshore Wind Ltd (BOW) for inclusion in Ofgem’s transmission asset cost assessment process.
Jun 2006Commercial Operations Full Power
By June 2006 the Barrow offshore wind farm had reached full commercial operation at its intended 90 MW capacity, with all generation exported via the completed Barrow Transmission Assets. The transmission system, comprising the offshore substation, subsea export cable and onshore substation connection at Heysham, had been completed and permanently energised earlier in 2006, enabling sustained full-power commercial operation from June onwards.
Mar 2006First Power
The Barrow Transmission Assets, forming the export connection for the 90 MW Barrow offshore wind farm, began transmitting first power to the onshore grid in March 2006, following permanent energisation of the transmission system in February 2006. This marked the initial export of electricity from the Barrow wind turbines through the offshore substation and single subsea export cable to the onshore network at Heysham.