Locals Invited to Discuss Galloper Offshore Wind Farm

Members of the Galloper Wind Farm Ltd (GWFL) project team will be in the Leiston area on Thursday the 25th of February to host two drop-in sessions about the 336 MW Galloper offshore wind farm project.

The drop-in sessions will be held on from 12pm to 3pm and 4pm to 7pm local time at the café at Beach View Holiday Park, Sizewell Common, Leiston. Members of the public and interested parties will be able to find out more about the wind farm, and hear details of the construction process and the community investment fund.

Toby Edmonds, GWFL Project Director said: “Onshore construction of the wind farm is underway with beach works starting at Sizewell beach in March so we’re keen to see local residents again to provide them with an update and answer any queries. We’re also very excited to have launched our Galloper Wind Farm Fund which will offer £187,000 over 17 years to local projects that contribute to the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There will be more information available at the drop-in sessions, and with the deadline for submissions set for the 22nd of March and grant applications being awarded from April.”

Galloper OWF, comprising 56 Siemens 6 MW wind turbines, is an extension of the existing and fully operational Greater Gabbard Wind Farm off the coast of Suffolk. Following community consultation, in-depth site investigations and a thorough examination by the Planning Inspectorate, Galloper was awarded Development Consent in May 2013. On the 30th of October 2015, RWE Innogy announced three new project partners and a number of investment partners for GWFL, signalling Financial Close and enabling the construction of the project to commence.

The wind farm, which has grid connection secured, represents an expected investment potential of more than GBP 1.5 billion. It is estimated that the average annual generation expected at the site could be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of around 336,000 average UK households. The wind farm is expected to commence operation by March 2018.