The Planning Inspectorate has formally accepted Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm project for examination.
The project, which is being developed by RWE on behalf of the project’s partners, now moves into the ‘pre-examination’ phase of the consenting process.
The examination phase is expected to begin later in the summer and last six months.
Diane Mailer, project lead, said, “This is a major milestone for an important project that will generate renewable energy for the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of homes, support the UK government’s net zero targets, and create job and supply chain opportunities in the local area.”
“Informed by feedback from the local communities and other consultees, the project’s design has evolved significantly over the last four years. I would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has taken the time to engage with us during the development process.
“It is through this engagement, alongside our close coordination with the North Falls Offshore Wind Farm project, that we have submitted proposals that deliver the best possible project, while minimising impact to local communities, wildlife and the environment.”
Five Estuaries is a proposed extension to the existing Galloper Offshore Wind Farm. The new wind farm would be split across two separate seabed areas covering 128km2 in the southern North Sea and create enough energy each year to power hundreds of thousands of homes.
The project includes up to 79 turbines with a maximum tip height of 399m and would be located approximately 37km at its closest point off the coast of south Suffolk.
Coming ashore at Sandy Point between Frinton-on-Sea and Holland-on-Sea in Tendring, Essex, underground cables then travel approximately 22km to a new substation located to the west of Little Bromley. Power will then be connected to the proposed adjacent East Anglia Connection Node substation, part of National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury Project.
All the application documents are available to view on the project page of the Planning Inspectorate’s website.
Anyone can register on the website as an ‘interested party’ to participate in the examination process.
The examination is expected to take six months, followed by a three-month period for the Examining Authority to make their recommendation. A final decision on consent, made over a further three months, will rest with the UK Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, and is anticipated in summer 2025.
Renewables business RWE is driving the development of the largest offshore wind pipeline in the UK.
It intends to maintain the pace of investment by investing around €8 billion net between 2024 to 2030, developing clean energy projects in support of the UK’s energy transition.
More information at www.fiveestuaries.co.uk.
