Ørsted Seeks Hornsea Two UXO Inspection and Clearance Permit

Ørsted’s subsidiary Optimus Wind Limited has applied to the UK Marine Management Organisation for a marine license to undertake offshore unexploded ordnance (UXO) inspection and clearance works for the Hornsea Project Two offshore wind farm.

In preparation for offshore construction which is due to commence in 2020, there is a requirement to carry out inspections and, if necessary, clearance through detonation of any confirmed UXO that cannot be relocated or microsited around.

Proposed works are due to be carried out from April – December 2019 and again in April – December 2020. Non-intrusive inspections may commence earlier than this, the developer said.

The 1.4 GW Hornsea 2 offshore wind farm is located 89km north-east of Grimsby and will comprise 165 Siemens Gamesa 8MW wind turbines. Once operational in 2022, it will become the largest wind farm in the world.