Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm publishes updated plans

“The planning process is iterative, so we initially presented a wide search area and then have relied on local knowledge, environmental assessments and information from local authorities and other statutory bodies, landowners and members of the local community to refine the design. I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to comment and shape the project so far, you should see that many of your comments have refined the proposal.”

As well as refining the cable corridor width from 200m to 80m[1], and presenting locations for the onshore substation and onshore HVAC booster station (if needed[2]), the project has also significantly reduced the construction programme following feedback.

Stuart continued: “Hornsea Project Three is a much-needed infrastructure project that could supply clean energy to well over two million homes in the UK. Due to the scale of the project we had initially prepared to construct the project in three phases, however I am really pleased to say that we have taken on board the feedback and been able to reduce this to two phases.

“This means that the total time over which the onshore construction works could take place will be limited to eight years, as opposed to the initially stated 11 years. I want to be really clear that this does not mean eight years of continuous construction, works in any one section of the cable route would be a matter of months.

“The maximum number of turbines has also been lowered and the area where the cables will come onshore, known as landfall, has been refined and a preferred route selected to take account of SSSIs (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and other environmental and logistical considerations.”

Hornsea Project Three could be the biggest windfarm in the world, joining Ørsted’s Hornsea Projects One and Two which are already underway. The turbines will be installed over 120km from the north Norfolk coast, so will not be visible from shore, and if built to full capacity could supply the electricity needs for well over two million homes.

As well as providing a significant environmental benefit by helping the UK reach its carbon emissions targets, the project itself will help to boost the local economy through jobs and supply chain opportunities.

Ørsted expect to be able to submit a planning application in Q2 this year, and if successful construction is expected to start in 2020.

An interactive map is available online here.

The latest project update can be found here.

Key highlights include:

• Final onshore cable route – the cable corridor has been refined from 200m to 80m [see footnote 1] informed by the results of environmental and technical assessments, landowner feedback, as well as responses received as part of the ongoing consultation.
• Horizontal Directional Drilling - the project has also revealed it will use Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology at over 70 ecologically valuable points and crossings along the route, avoiding the need for trenches in these areas altogether.
• Construction phasing and onshore construction period reduced to two phases – the project has reduced the number of phases of construction meaning that the maximum onshore construction period has been reduced by three years.
• Location of onshore infrastructure finalised - the onshore HVAC booster station (if required) will be constructed near Little Barningham, and the onshore substation will be constructed near Swardeston. Visual mitigation plans are underway and will be published in the final application.
• Refined landfall zone – The area where the cables come onshore, known as the landfall zone, has been refined to avoid crossing Kelling Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This decision has been informed by consideration of the potential impact on the SSSIs (including both Kelling Heath and those at the coast) and Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), landowner feedback, technical challenges associated with the initial proposed route, feedback from stakeholders in relation to the railway crossing and other asset owners in the area.
• Reduced the number of turbines – the maximum number of turbines has been reduced from 342 to 300.
• Confirmed location of main & secondary construction compounds – Considering responses consultations and through ongoing assessment work, Oulton Airfield, near Oulton, has been selected as the main construction compound. Five secondary compounds (smaller in scale) will also be required along the cable route to facilitate construction works in those areas, providing equipment storage and welfare facilities.