Development consent order granted for up to 231 turbines

An offshore wind farm has been granted a development consent order by Energy secretary Alok Sharma.

Hornsea One has already started production this year, and Hornsea Two is currently under construction and expected to be in operation by 2022.

Ortsted Hornsea Project Three, an offshore windfarm to be located in the Southern North Sea, will comprise up to 231 turbines.

The project will be larger than 100MW so it was considered under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure (NSIP) regime.

On the application form, permission was sought for:

• up to 300 wind turbines;
• up to 12 offshore collector substations;
• up to four surface or six subsea offshore HVAS booster stations (or a combination of them);
• up to three offshore accommodation platforms;
• connection to the national grid substation south of Norwich.

Modifications were made to the windfarm which included a reduction in numbers of turbines to 231. This was not seen as being "a material change to the development as applied for" by Sharma.

The need for renewable energy and meeting the aims set out in the Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy were given substantial weight when considering the development.

Sharma concluded that the project, "in combination with other plans or projects, would have an adverse effect on the integrity of the Flamborough and Filey Coast Special Protection Area for kittiwake" after considering the Habitats Regulations Assessment for the development. However, he suggested that "if appropriate compensation is secured" the benefits overall to the public would make up for the negative impacts.