UK: Two Applications to Speed Up Dogger Bank Development

Forewind’s second stage of offshore wind development, Dogger Bank Teesside will be divided into two separate Development Consent Order (DCO) applications, each for two offshore wind projects.

Dogger Bank Teesside will comprise four wind farms, which could have a total installed capacity of up to 4.8GW which means it would have the potential to generate more than 18 Terawatt hours (TWh) of green power every year.

It was decided to submit two separate applications because Forewind has an agreed grid connection location, has completed all the necessary surveys and identified the project boundaries for the initial two projects – Dogger Bank Teesside A and B.

Additional survey work is required, and the finalisation of the grid connection location for the third and fourth projects – Dogger Bank Teesside C and D.

Forewind’s Head of Engineering, Dr Mark Legerton said by splitting the development into two separate consents and enabling the projects to be sited further apart, more electricity could be generated, making full use of Dogger Bank’s strong winds and reducing the cost of the energy produced.

The first DCO application will seek consent for Dogger Bank Teesside A and B, two 1.2GW wind farms connecting into the existing Lackenby substation near Middlesbrough. The plan is for this application to be lodged with the Planning Inspectorate in spring 2014.

The second DCO application will seek consent for Dogger Bank Teesside C and D, two up to 1.2GW wind farms whose project boundaries will be finalised in 2013 following the completion of additional surveys and assessment. They will also connect to an electricity grid substation in Teesside, although its location will only be confirmed once further work by National Grid and Forewind is complete.

The second application will be lodged with the Planning Inspectorate at least one year after the initial Dogger Bank Teesside A and B application.

“Given the nearness of the onshore works for Dogger Bank Teesside A, B, C and D and the overlap in onshore survey areas, Forewind aims to reduce the burden on stakeholders by consulting on all four projects together as much as possible,” Dr Legerton said.

“However, two separate environmental statements will be produced and so two separate statutory consultations on draft documents will be required, approximately one year after the other,” he said.

Forewind plans to develop a total of eight offshore wind farms and is working closely with the National Grid to identify suitable grid connections for the remaining projects.

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Press release, December 18, 2012; Image: forewind