SSE Energy Markets has secured a 16-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Red Rock Renewables for the output from the Benbrack wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The deal will cover the wind farm’s entire 67.1 MW installed capacity.
Benbrack, a wind farm fully owned by Edinburgh-based developer Red Rock Renewables, is nearing the final stage of construction and is expected to begin commercial operations later this summer. The project is supported by three Government Contract for Difference (CfD) contracts, which provide financial backing for renewable energy generation.
Under the agreement, SSE Energy Markets will provide route-to-market services for Benbrack, including managing imbalance risks and charges for Red Rock. Additionally, SSE will oversee the optimisation of the Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) certificates produced by the wind farm.
Gordon Bell, Managing Director of SSE Energy Markets, expressed satisfaction with the deal, saying, “We’re pleased to have executed this deal with Benbrack and Red Rock, further utilising our expertise at managing and reducing risk exposures for renewable assets through our best in class route-to-market services.” Bell added, “We continue to grow our third-party offering and have further cemented our position as the go-to offtaker for generators of this type.”
The agreement strengthens SSE Energy Markets’ portfolio, bringing the company’s route-to-market contracts with assets backed by a CfD to a total of 2.75 GW.
David Finnon, Chief Technical Officer at Red Rock Renewables, noted the importance of the partnership with SSE, saying, “We’re pleased to have SSE Energy Markets on board to deliver Benbrack’s long-term route-to-market potential. It’s valuable experience and credibility within the market, and growing portfolio of wind PPA contracts, gave us the confidence that the team was best placed to maximise benefit from the wind farm and minimise our risk as a generator.”
The deal marks a key step for both companies as they continue to expand their roles in the UK’s renewable energy sector.
