UK energy regulator Ofgem has shortlisted five bidders to own and operate the $302m transmission link to the 258MW Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind project in the Bay of Liverpool.

Following completion of final stage of the tender, Ofgem will name the offshore transmission owner (OFTO) for the wind project, which is scheduled to enter service in 2017.

The winner will receive a guaranteed revenue stream for 20-year period, under the terms of their license.

The shortlisted bidders include Balfour Beatty Equitix, a consortium formed by Balfour Beatty Investments and Equitix; Dalmore Capital; and Diamond Transmission Partners, a consortium comprising Mitsubishi and HICL Infrastructure Company.

Other bidders include Mari Energy Transmission, a consortium comprising Macquarie and Frontier Power as well as Transmission Capital Partners, consortium formed by International Public Partnerships and Transmission Capital Partners.

Ofgem plans to announce the preferred bidder in April 2017 for the Burbo Bank Extension transmission link, which is being tendered under the fourth round of the OFTO regime

Recently, Dong Energy has commenced installation of the first of the 32 world's largest wind turbines planned at the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm.

The wind farm will feature 32 MHI Vestas Offshore Wind V164-8.0MW wind turbines, with 8MW capacity each, to generate electricity required power over 230,000 UK homes annually.

DONG Energy owns 50% stake in the Burbo Bank Extension project while Danish pension provider PKA and Lego Group's parent firm Kirkbi hold 25% stakes each.


Image: The V164-8.0MW turbine being installed at Burbo Bank Extension wind farm off Liverpool, UK. Photo: courtesy of DONG Energy A/S.