Norfolk offshore wind farm reveals early plans

Vattenfall, the developer of one of Norfolk’s largest wind farms, has revealed early plans for the offshore scheme, including its decision to bury underground around 50km of onshore transmission cables.

The Swedish company, which launched the Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm in March this year [2016], is seeking views from technical specialists, local authorities, public agencies and local people about the scope of assessment that will support understanding of the project’s environmental impact. The outcome of the Environmental Impact Assessment and future consultations will help shape the final consent application before it is submitted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate, a Government planning agency. The Secretary of State for Energy would then make a decision on whether to consent the project, likely by the end of this decade.

This week the leading wind energy company has sent more than 20,000 newsletters to people living in north Norfolk. The newsletter invites local people to seven public information days across Norfolk later this month [October 2016] to discuss the plans and the scope of the assessment.

Ruari Lean, Vattenfall’s Senior Project Manager for the Norfolk Vanguard proposal, said: “We are at the early stages of developing Norfolk Vanguard. There will be lots of opportunity for local people to shape how the offshore wind farm, including the onshore infrastructure, will look. We want to hear from as many people as possible this month and in the future.

“We hope though that people will agree with us that undergrounding the 50km onshore cable route is the right decision as it minimises the wind farm’s impact. We want to add value in Norfolk and for us knowing the best way to do that – whether its good design decisions or investment opportunities – contributes to the best outcome for Norfolk.”

After coming to an agreement with National Grid, Vattenfall plans to bring power from the 1.8 gigawatt offshore wind farm, located 47km offshore at its nearest point, to the shore between Bacton and Eccles-on-Sea. Vattenfall will then run an underground cable approximately 50km from shore to connect into the existing National Grid’s substation near Necton. Vattenfall has identified a wide search area for the cable route. The consultation with local people will seek advice on the best route and potential locations for infrastructure such as a cable relay station and project substation.

In 2016, Vattenfall entered into an agreement with The Crown Estate, the manager of the seabed in UK waters, to develop Norfolk Vanguard with a target capacity of 1.8GW. If built this would generate enough clean power every year to meet the equivalent electricity demand of 4% UK households. Norfolk Vanguard’s sister project, Norfolk Boreas, is expected to start its planning process early next year.

For more information about the Planning Inspectorate’s procedure and Norfolk Vanguard visit: infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/eastern/norfolk-vanguard/