The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Wind is blowing fair for SSE
Perth-based SSE Renewables has signed a joint venture agreement as it plans to enter offshore wind markets in Spain and Portugal.
The UK energy giant has signed an exclusive agreement for a 50:50 joint venture with Acciona SA, a Spanish renewable energy developer, owner and operator.
This forms part of SSE Renewables’ strategy to seek to bring its expertise in the renewables value chain to international markets.
Spain and Portugal have both set net zero emissions targets for 2050.
They are two of the leading countries in Europe for renewable energy in terms of capacity built to date and ambitions for the future.
The Spanish Government is expected to publish an offshore wind strategy this year.
Jim Smith, managing director of SSE Renewables, said: “Partnering with a well-established Spanish renewable developer will enable SSE Renewables to bring its offshore wind expertise to help Spain and Portugal achieve their ambition to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
“It also demonstrates our intent to build our strong wind energy pipeline beyond the UK and Ireland.”
The agreement between SSE Renewables and Acciona also includes scope to jointly explore other offshore wind markets beyond Spain and Portugal.
Rafael Mateo, chief executive of Acciona Energy, said: “After successfully developing a leading global position in onshore wind and photovoltaic technologies, a partnership with SSE Renewables will allow us to accelerate our entry into the offshore wind market, where we also see great potential.
“It is a natural step forward in our strategy of providing the best possible alternatives for clients looking for clean energy solutions.”
SSE Renewables owns nearly 2GW of operational onshore wind capacity with more than 1GW under development, including Seagreen off the coast of Angus.
Acciona is a global group that develops and manages sustainable infrastructure solutions, especially in renewable energy. It has a presence in around 60 countries.
Its business spans the entire value chain, from design and construction through to operation and maintenance.
Anew campaign to boost exports of food and drink has been launched to help farmers sell highquality produce abroad.
The Open Doors campaign by the UK Government, with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the AHDB, aims to target the growing middle classes in places such as Asia.
Speaking at the NFU conference, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said the high quality of UK produce made it highly competitive and appealing to middle class consumers abroad – but only a fifth of food manufacturers export their produce.
The scheme will include advertising to encourage businesses to increase their overseas sales, practical help from the government including exporting masterclasses and a new mentoring programme to help firms export.
The move comes in the wake of some UK producers struggling to export food products to Europe under the post-brexit regime, and amid ongoing concerns that trade deals with other countries could undermine high British standards.
Ms Truss said: “Our farmers need access to new markets around the world, but we need to get rid of the barriers holding them back. We will help you get out into the global market.
“Exporting supports higher wages, productivity and high-quality jobs, but one in five of our food manufacturers export.
“We want to unleash the potential of many more businesses, which is why I am glad to announce a new export campaign for British food and drink. We are dubbing this our Open
Doors campaign, reflecting the work we’re doing to open new doors for food producers and farmers to unprecedented opportunities across the world.”
Her words came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the conference via a video message he wanted people to buy more British food, and for more to be sold abroad.
“I’m delighted that already we’ve got back on the shelves around the world, we’ve got British beef back on American plates, pork trotters on Chinese tables and cheese on supermarket shelves across the Gulf,” he said.
“I can assure you we are pulling out all the stops, while making clear that in all our trade negotiations we won’t compromise on high environmental protection and animal welfare standards.”