Vattenfall has started developing a proposal for an extension to the existing and operational Thanet offshore wind farm located approximately 12 kilometres from the shore at Margate in Kent, UK.
The extension would comprise addition of up to 34 turbines on the edges of the existing 300MW wind farm which has been operational since 2010.
Using the latest turbine technology and taller turbines, the extension could almost double Thanet’s energy generating capacity, Vattenfall said.
Vattenfall intends to connect to the grid at Richborough, and there are two potential cable routes being explored at this stage – from Pegwell Bay to the north and from Sandwich Bay to the south.
The company has arranged a series of public sessions in January to receive feedback on the proposed project from the public and specialist shareholders. The public sessions will start in Ramsgate on 20 January, and end in Cliffsend on 28 January.
Vattenfall plans to submit an application for Development Consent Order in early 2018, and expects to receive Secretary of State’s decision on the application in mid-2019.