UK: Construction Begins on Rampion Wind Farm Weather Mast

As reported by the Argus, E.ON, one of the UK’s top companies in the field of production and supply of energy, plans to launch on Monday activities on installing a mast on the site of the Rampion Wind Farm.

The purpose of the 110-metre mast is to measure wave heights, sea currents, wind speeds and other environmental data in order to gather as much as possible relevant information to be able to start construction. The completion of the works on installation of the mast is expected by April 16.

As a result, local exclusion zone will be in place for a certain period of time and the company will inform the sea users of the construction works under way.

Namely, in order for E.ON to push forward with the erection of the wind farm, to be located around 13km from the Sussex coast at its nearest point; it first needs to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Upon completion of the surveys, the company will submit an Environmental Statement (ES) and subsequently the application for a Development Consent Order for the project. The estimates indicate that the farm could generate more than 2,100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year and bring electricity to circa 450,000 homes.

In the last two years the company engaged in gathering relevant information on environmental effects of the project, especially during its construction stages, in cooperation with key statutory bodies including Natural England, the Centre for Fish and Aquacultural Sciences (Cefas), the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and English Heritage.

The collected pieces of information constitute the basis for discussions at public consultation events, such as the upcoming one, scheduled for Wednesday in Littlehampton.

“We’re very excited to reach this milestone and get into the water to install the mast. This represents the next key stage in the project as we analyse measurements from the mast, alongside feedback from the community consultation to help finalise the design for this wind farm,” Development manager, Chris Tomlinson stated.

The consultation process with the community, which is to be completed with the final consultation event to be held on May 6, represents an integral part of the project development.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, April 03, 2012; Image: e.on