The 588MW wind project is planned to be built in the Outer Moray Firth, on the north-western point of the Smith Bank, about 13.5km from the Caithness coastline.
Featuring 84 Siemens-built turbines, the project secured approval from the Scottish Government in March 2014 and also received an investment contract from the UK in May 2014.
The partners are planning to commence work at the operations and maintenance facility in Wick and the transmission works in Moray this year, followed by offshore construction work in 2017.
SSE Renewables director Paul Cooley said: "Contracts have already been placed with many UK based suppliers, and Siemens intend to undertake turbine blade construction from Siemen’s new manufacturing facility in Hull.
"Around £10m of investment is planned at Wick Harbour to house the wind farm’s operations and maintenance facilities and improving the existing RNLI facilities."
Scheduled to be fully commissioned in 2019, the wind farm is designed to power roughly 450,000 homes and is expected to generate over 890 jobs during construction phase.
Christina G. Sorensen, Senior Partner in CIP, said: "The project will deliver clean, green and affordable renewable energy based on a stable investment contract price and a 15 year inflation linked revenue stream."
Siemens formed a consortium with Nexans to deliver the project’s grid connection. The contract scope includes offshore transmission modules as well as onshore substations and other related infrastructure.
Additionally, Subsea 7/Seaway Heavy Lifting have secured contract to supply turbine foundation and array cable installation as well as the transport and installation of transmission modules for the project.
RenewableUK CEO Hugh McNeal said: "We now know that by 2020, 10% of the UK’s electricity will be generated by offshore wind farms, securing jobs and investment all over our country."
SSE has 40% stake in project while Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and SDIC Power 25 own 35% and 25% interests respectively.
Image: Illustration of Beatrice offshore wind project in UK. Photo: courtesy of SSE.
