RWE Innogy have reviewed their site selection for part of the onshore electrical infrastructure – known as the Intermediate Electrical Compound – for Triton Knoll Offshore Wind farm.
The site between Orby and Addlethorpe in the vicinity of Skegness Stadium known as the Red Zone has now been selected. The move follows a change of advice from East Lindsey District Council and newly available information on a previously selected site.
RWE Innogy undertook a full evaluation of three shortlisted sites, which took into consideration assessments from experts and all the consultation responses received. The Brown Zone was selected and announced in June 2013.
Following this selection however, a planning application for a leisure development on the south-western portion of this area was submitted to East Lindsey District Council and granted consent.
More recently, an economic regeneration initiative known as the Vision for Skegness was announced with the support from Lincolnshire County Council. East Lindsey District Council Planning Officers subsequently indicated that the Council would now object to the siting of the Intermediate Electrical Compound on this area.
Jacob Hain Project Manager said: “We always take the views of key consultees on board and are keen to work together with local communities. Therefore, following these announcements, we went back to review the shortlisted zones and re-assess them. We have assessed the compatibility of the Intermediate Electrical Compound in the Brown Zone with plans for “The Vision for Skegness” and concluded that co-locating with these developments would be highly complicated.”
Following the reduction of the required footprint for the Intermediate Electrical Compound by 40 per cent, and taking account of feedback received during consultation, RWE Innogy have selected a site that is located directly between the existing infrastructure in the area.
Work will continue on progressing the proposed electrical infrastructure package and further consultation will be held later this year before a planning application is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in 2015.
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Press release, January 29, 2014; Image: RWE