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sources. This makes SSE the largest wind energy generator in the SEM. The company also trades
across the interconnectors between Ireland and GB.
In the six months to 30 September 2016, SSE's 464MW Great Island CCGT unit (grid connection
capacity set at 431MW) exported 1.4TWh of electricity, up 41% on the same period in 2015. The
improved generation performance was due to increased power demand and prevailing market
conditions, including the improved position of gas plant relative to other generation types.
On 30 September 2016 Ireland’s national grid operator EirGrid announced that the 500MW East
West Interconnector (EWIC) between Ireland and GB had gone out of commission due to a fault that
occurred during annual maintenance. EirGrid estimates a return to service by the end of February
2017.
Delivering and developing new capacity for electricity generation
Construction of the two-phase 174MW (SSE share 120MW) Galway Wind Park project is ongoing and
it is due to be commissioned by the end of 2017. The project will qualify for REFIT II support. In
Northern Ireland, construction of both the Tievenameenta (35MW) and Slieve Divena II (18MW)
onshore wind farms is progressing well. Both projects will be operational in 2017, meeting the
criteria for Northern Ireland’s RO grace period.
SSE continues to advance its planned Doraville wind farm development (up to 115MW), a planning
application for which is currently before Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure. This
project, if developed, will not qualify for the RO.
Engaging in the I-SEM reform process
Reform of the SEM to comply with the EU Electricity Target Model continues, with regulators in
Ireland and Northern Ireland progressing the Integrated SEM (I-SEM) project due for introduction by
the end of 2017. In July, regulators said they considered it very unlikely that the UK decision to leave
the EU would have any significant impact on I-SEM programme delivery. In addition, the UK Prime
Minster has advised the Northern Ireland First Minister that resolving the SEM will be a priority for
the UK Government. For its part SSE continues to be fully involved in all stages of the ongoing new
market design and implementation process.
Gas Production
Gas Production is responsible for the efficient delivery of gas from the offshore gas fields in which
SSE has a shared ownership.
Producing from UK Continental Shelf assets
Total output in the six months to 30 September 2016 was 314.5 million therms (5.11 mmboe) of gas
and 0.47mmboe of liquids, compared with 191.3 million therms of gas (3.11 mmboe) and 0.03
mmboe in the same period last year. This rise in production was due to the start up of the Laggan
field in February 2016, although there has also been a natural decline in output from existing fields.
The Greater Laggan Area acquisition is expected to mean SSE’s average annual volumes of gas and
liquids produced will be at a higher level than those it reported in previous years, with a forecast
average production of around 500million therms (8.1mmboe) of gas and 0.85mmboe of liquids per
year in the five years to March 2021.
Delivering security in Gas Production
SSE has a 20% interest in the four gas fields and surrounding exploration acreage approximately
125km north west of the Shetland Islands, collectively known as the Greater Laggan Area; and a 20%
interest in the new Shetland Gas Plant. Total E&P UK Limited is the operator of, and owns a 60%
stake in, these assets. The remaining 20% is owned by DONG Energy.
Gas production started in February 2016 from the Laggan field and in August 2016 from the Tormore
field which have reached peak production of up to 90,000 boe a day. This will help to secure energy
for SSE’s customers and help meet the needs of SSE’s gas-fired power stations, contributing to
security of electricity supply. The nearby Edradour and Glenlivet fields are expected to start
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