News
Location of first Dogger Bank tranche announced
13-10-2010
Forewind, development partner for the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm zone, potentially the world’s largest wind energy project, has today announced the location of the first tranche for development.
Forewind has the objective to achieve consent for a target installed capacity of 9GW of offshore wind farm projects by 2020, however the zone has the potential for up to 13GW. This figure equates to almost 10 per cent of the UK’s projected electricity requirements.
Forewind Head of Development, Gareth Lewis says 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 tranches. It will be divided into four large tranches, and each tranche will be further sub-divided into three separate similar-sized wind farm projects.
This first tranche, known as Tranche A, covers an area of 2000 km2 and lies in the south west section of the Dogger Bank Zone, closest to land. It is between 125km and 182km from shore, is reasonably free of geographically specific consenting issues, has water depths generally shallower than 30m, and offers maximum design flexibility.
“We are pleased to announce the location of Tranche A, which has been identified as the optimum area for the first projects,” Mr Lewis said. “It was selected following detailed stakeholder workshops and discussions, as well as an assessment of the outcomes from a zone characterisation process and technical, environmental and commercial studies.
“We have already begun some of the most comprehensive environmental surveys that have been undertaken anywhere on the planet, including boat-based and aerial bird surveys and geophysic studies to understand the geology and seabed environment across the whole zone,” he added.
“From this initial work, the more specifically targeted surveys, assessments and consultations that will form the core of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) can now progress.”
Work is already underway on the identification of the location of the three individual wind farm projects within Tranche A, each up to 1.4GW, as well as the three further development tranches.
Dogger Bank Project One will be the first project to be developed. It will comprise: the first of the wind farm locations identified within Tranche A, an export cable, and up to two onshore converter substations with associated infrastructure. Forewind has accepted a grid connection offer made by National Grid to connect Dogger Bank Project One into the existing Creyke Beck substation, near Cottingham in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Forewind has now submitted a Scoping Report to the Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC) for opinion on the proposed approach to the development of Dogger Bank Project One.
Copies of the Scoping Report, associated Zone Characterisation document and a Tranche A selection rationale summary are now available for download at http://www.forewind.co.uk/dogger-bank/tranche-a-project-one-documents.
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Contact details: Forewind Communications, Sue Vincent on E: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or M: +44 7768508742.