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04-04-2011
Forewind begins onshore surveys to assess cable route for first project
Forewind, development partner for the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm zone, will begin its preliminary onshore surveys this week as part of its investigations into potential corridors for the onshore underground cables that will connect its first wind farm project with the national grid at the Creyke Beck substation, near Cottingham in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
As well as investigating cable route options, the work will assess possible locations for the new converter stations required for the grid connection.
The 8660km2 Dogger Bank zone is located more than 125km off the Yorkshire coast. Forewind’s target for the zone is an installed capacity of 9GW of offshore wind farm projects by 2020, however the zone has the potential for approximately 13GW - almost 10 per cent of the UK’s projected electricity requirements.
Head of Onshore Development, Mark Thomas, said that to ensure the work on this huge project is managed effectively, and to evenly distribute the demand on those involved – from stakeholders to the supply chain - the zone will be developed in up to 12 projects. This survey work is for the first of the projects, known as Dogger Bank Project One.
“From this week, our contractors will begin to more closely assess different cable route options, focussing on the key environmental issues that could have an impact on determining the most suitable route,” Mr Thomas said.
“We have conducted desk-based research and some field studies but now we need to get a better understanding of the options by documenting habitats such as hedgerows, woodland, ponds and other water bodies which could be home to protected species such as bats, badgers, reptiles and great crested newts.
“These surveys are a further step in our Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process as we aim to select a route that has the least environmental impact, while meeting engineering, technological and commercial requirements,” he said.
This initial survey work will be undertaken on foot only, so will be non-intrusive, and landowners located in the study area will be contacted directly for permission prior to entering their land.
It is anticipated that surveys will continue throughout the year and that the information gathered will be made available to stakeholders, including the local community, through a programme of consultation, .The programme will be outlined in a Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC), to be published later this year. The dates and times for the public consultation events will be advertised in the local press and on the Forewind website.
Forewind has set up a freephone number 0800 9755636 to answer queries about the programme of work or for more information people should visit http://www.forewind.co.uk.
Ends
Contact details: Forewind Communications, Sue Vincent on E: [email protected] or M: +44 7768508742.
As well as investigating cable route options, the work will assess possible locations for the new converter stations required for the grid connection.
The 8660km2 Dogger Bank zone is located more than 125km off the Yorkshire coast. Forewind’s target for the zone is an installed capacity of 9GW of offshore wind farm projects by 2020, however the zone has the potential for approximately 13GW - almost 10 per cent of the UK’s projected electricity requirements.
Head of Onshore Development, Mark Thomas, said that to ensure the work on this huge project is managed effectively, and to evenly distribute the demand on those involved – from stakeholders to the supply chain - the zone will be developed in up to 12 projects. This survey work is for the first of the projects, known as Dogger Bank Project One.
“From this week, our contractors will begin to more closely assess different cable route options, focussing on the key environmental issues that could have an impact on determining the most suitable route,” Mr Thomas said.
“We have conducted desk-based research and some field studies but now we need to get a better understanding of the options by documenting habitats such as hedgerows, woodland, ponds and other water bodies which could be home to protected species such as bats, badgers, reptiles and great crested newts.
“These surveys are a further step in our Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process as we aim to select a route that has the least environmental impact, while meeting engineering, technological and commercial requirements,” he said.
This initial survey work will be undertaken on foot only, so will be non-intrusive, and landowners located in the study area will be contacted directly for permission prior to entering their land.
It is anticipated that surveys will continue throughout the year and that the information gathered will be made available to stakeholders, including the local community, through a programme of consultation, .The programme will be outlined in a Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC), to be published later this year. The dates and times for the public consultation events will be advertised in the local press and on the Forewind website.
Forewind has set up a freephone number 0800 9755636 to answer queries about the programme of work or for more information people should visit http://www.forewind.co.uk.
Ends
Contact details: Forewind Communications, Sue Vincent on E: [email protected] or M: +44 7768508742.
About Forewind
Forewind is a consortium of four leading international energy companies, committed to securing all the necessary consents required for the construction and development of Dogger Bank. Forewind has agreed with The Crown Estate a target installed capacity of 9GW, though the zone has a potential for approximately 13GW, which equates to around 10 per cent of total UK electricity requirements. If developed it is likely to be the world’s largest offshore wind project.About Dogger Bank
The Dogger Bank zone is in the North Sea, located between 125 and 290 kilometres off the east coast of Yorkshire. It extends over approximately 8660 km2 with its outer limit aligned to UK continental shelf limit as defined by the UK Hydrographic Office. The water depth ranges from 18–63 metres.About the owners
The Forewind owners are all leading international energy companies in their own right. They comprise:- RWE npower renewables is the UK subsidiary of Pan-European renewable energy company RWE Innogy and has a strong diversified position in renewables with significant ambition for growth.
- SSE is one of the largest energy companies in the UK.
- Statoil is a world leading offshore oil and gas operator.
- Statkraft is Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy.