UK: Vattenfall starts development of Norfolk’s largest offshore wind farm

Vattenfall, the Swedish energy firm, said it has started development of Norfolk’s largest offshore wind farm.

Recently the wind farm developer agreed with The Crown Estate to take forward Norfolk Vanguard into the planning process with a target capacity of 1.8GW, 47km off the coast. This would generate enough power to meet the annual needs of more than 1.3 million UK households delivering a significant boost to future home grown, low cost, low carbon energy generation.

Recently the UK Government has said it sees the offshore wind sector making an increasing contribution to the UK generation mix with capacity doubling to 20GW by 2030, as costs reduce. Late last year, Vattenfall said it was targeting a tripling of wind power capacity to 7GW across northern Europe by 2025 as it moves to a more sustainable energy business.

Ruari Lean, Vattenfall’s Project Manager for Norfolk Vanguard, said: “Vattenfall wants to work with Norfolk to capture the benefits of offshore wind. There is an opportunity for Norfolk business and securing Norfolk jobs. There is also an opportunity to make a telling impact in the UK’s contribution to tackling climate change.”

Andy Paine, Vattenfall’s Project Director for Norfolk Vanguard and head of UK offshore wind, said: “As the industry grows costs will fall; that’s why offshore wind has a great future in the UK. An industry is emerging in Norfolk and we are convinced that the region is well placed to secure an even bigger role in the sector.”

Vattenfall has also agreed with The Crown Estate to develop Norfolk Boreas, also with a target capacity of 1.8GW. The development of Norfolk Boreas will start in 2017.

Infos:

• The development areas for Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas are off the Norfolk coast. They are located in the northern half of what used to be the East Anglia Offshore Wind Farm development zone. Norfolk Vanguard is split into western and eastern areas. The zone was developed in partnership with ScottishPower Renewables since 2010. After the JV gained consent for East Anglia ONE in 2014, the partners agreed to divide the zone with Vattenfall developing the northern half independently.
• Both wind farms will follow the planning process for nationally significant infrastructure projects, known as NSIP. Read more about NSIP
• More information on the Agreement for Lease with The Crown Estate
• The north west point of the Norfolk Vanguard development area is the closest landfall and is 47km from Winterton Ness.
• Vanguard and Boreas were names of vessels commanded by Lord Nelson.