ScottishPower has announced a new strategic partnership with BT to help connect Scotland's renewable growth.

ScottishPower has awarded a major contract to BT to strengthen the connectivity throughout its network of windfarms and offices. The partnership makes use of BT's extensive fibre broadband networks to increase bandwidth and reliability at ScottishPower's green energy sites.

The multi-million pound contract will enable ScottishPower to future-proof its IT network as it increases its capacity to provide clean, green energy to facilitate the UK's progress to net zero.

BT's connectivity will aid ScottishPower's operational technology on its windfarms, allowing staff to monitor areas like turbine temperature, operating efficiency and the amount of electricity being produced by the site. It helps ScottishPower controllers manage the windfarm - and the assets on it - more efficiently.

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The company's ambitious growth plans include expansion of its existing onshore wind portfolio, with five new projects totalling 396MW, investment in ten solar PV sites totalling 326MW and the East Anglia Three offshore wind project totalling 1400MW. This strategic partnership between ScottishPower and BT will facilitate that growth in capacity.

Allan Ferguson, UK Director of Infrastructure, Operations and Communications at ScottishPower, said: "ScottishPower is at the forefront of the delivery of the UK's Net Zero targets and the transition to a more sustainable future. As we grow our renewable energy generation, investing in more windfarms, battery storage and green hydrogen production facilities, IT needs to ensure it supports the business growth and BT is helping us achieve that by helping to future-proof the IT network. I look forward to working with BT in delivering this strategic award."

Alan Lees, Regional Director for BT's Enterprise business in Scotland, said: "As a critical enabler and as one of the largest employers in Scotland, BT offers unparalleled networks for people, businesses and public services here.

"We understand critical national services and like ScottishPower, we also want to power Scotland's green economic growth. We are therefore delighted that ScottishPower has trusted us and awarded us this multi-million pound contract as the provider of choice to run its national infrastructure.

"At BT, we pride ourselves on offering unrivalled, robust and reliable network solutions for our customers including ubiquitous connectivity in hard to reach rural sites. We look forward to providing integrated solutions to meet the needs of ScottishPower and its customers as we work together to help to support the growth of renewable energy."