Westermost Rough OFTO
OperationalOffshore GridGB205 MW150 kV27 km2014
Basic information
9 fieldsAlso Known As
TC Westermost Rough OFTO · TC Westermost Rough OFTO Ltd · TC Westermost Rough OFTO Limited · Westermost Rough · Westermost Rough OFTO TR3 · Ofgem TR3 Westermost Rough OFTO
Status
operational
Capacity
205 MW
Project Company
Type
offshore grid
Transmission Model
Developer Build & Transfer
Expected Life
20 years
Website
Supply Chain (14)
Project Timeline (22)
12 Feb 2016Stake Transaction
TC Westermost Rough OFTO Limited (a Transmission Capital Partners SPV) completed the acquisition of the Westermost Rough offshore transmission assets from DONG Energy (now Orsted) on 12 February 2016. The transfer value was GBP 156.7 million. The OFTO licence was granted by Ofgem on 4 February 2016.
Transmission Capital acquired from Ørsted (100%)
4 Feb 2016Revenue Secured
On 4 February 2016, Ofgem published its cost assessment decision for the Westermost Rough offshore transmission assets, setting the final transfer value at £156.7 million. This assessed value, representing the economic and efficient costs of developing and constructing the transmission system, became the amount payable by the incoming OFTO to the developer and the basis for the project’s regulated revenue stream.
4 Feb 2016Revenue Secured
By the time of Ofgem’s February 2016 cost assessment decision, the Authority had granted an offshore transmission licence to TC Westermost Rough OFTO Limited, owned by Transmission Capital Partners Limited Partnership and International Public Partnerships Limited. Under the OFTO Tender Round 3 regime, this licence entitles the company to own and operate the Westermost Rough transmission link and receive a regulated 20‑year revenue stream linked to its tender revenue submission.
Dec 2015Public Consultation
Authority: Ofgem · Licence: Section 8A public consultation on offshore transmission licence and cost assessment for Westermost Rough
In December 2015, Ofgem conducted a Section 8A consultation associated with the Westermost Rough offshore transmission project, publishing a draft cost assessment report for stakeholder feedback as part of the process to finalise the transfer value and licence arrangements for the OFTO.
26 May 2015Commercial Operations Full Power
On 26 May 2015, DONG Energy (now Orsted) announced that full power output had been achieved at the 210 MW Westermost Rough offshore wind farm, the first in the world to use the Siemens 6 MW turbine commercially. All 35 turbines were generating and exporting electricity via the offshore substation and export cable to the onshore substation at Hedon near Hull. The wind farm was officially inaugurated on 1 July 2015.
15 May 2015Regulatory Other
Authority: Ofgem · Licence: Planned announcement of preferred bidder for Westermost Rough offshore transmission licence (Tender Round 3)
On 15 May 2015, Ofgem appointed Transmission Capital Partners as the preferred bidder to own and operate the Westermost Rough offshore transmission link under Tender Round 3. TC Westermost Rough OFTO Ltd was established to acquire the transmission assets, with the OFTO licence subsequently granted on 4 February 2016 and asset transfer completing on 12 February 2016 at a transfer value of GBP 156.7 million.
Oct 2014Regulatory Other
In October 2014, Ofgem issued an updated indicative transfer value of £172.3 million for the Westermost Rough offshore transmission assets. This revised estimate, reflecting additional information on development and construction costs, was communicated to the developer and made available to bidders for use in their Tender Round 3 Invitation to Tender submissions.
23 Oct 2014Procurement Notice
Authority: Ofgem · Licence: Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Westermost Rough offshore transmission project (Tender Round 3)
On 23 October 2014, Ofgem issued the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document for Tender Round 3: Westermost Rough, commencing the ITT stage for the project’s offshore transmission assets. Qualifying bidders were invited to submit final OFTO proposals, including tender revenue streams, financial strategies, risk management approaches and technical expertise for taking over, operating and managing the Westermost Rough transmission system, with Ofgem to evaluate these proposals to identify a preferred (and possibly reserve) bidder.
8 Sept 2014First Power
On 8 September 2014, DONG Energy (now Orsted) announced that electricity had been generated for the first time at the Westermost Rough offshore wind farm. The transmission assets were energised in early August 2014, and power from the first of 35 Siemens 6 MW turbines was exported to the national grid via the offshore substation, subsea export cable and onshore substation connecting to National Grid at Hedon near Hull.
20 Aug 2014Revenue Application
On 20 August 2014, Ofgem announced a shortlist of four bidder consortia, including Transmission Capital Partners, to compete in Tender Round 3 for the right to own and operate the Westermost Rough and Humber Gateway offshore transmission links, moving the Westermost Rough project into the final bid stage for a 20‑year regulated revenue licence.