Thanet Extension DCO Application Gets Examining Authority

The UK Planning Inspectorate has appointed the Examining Authority for Vattenfall’s application for the Thanet Extension development consent order (DCO).

The Thanet offshore wind farm. Source: Vattenfall

The preliminary meeting to discuss the examination procedure will take place on 11 December at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Innovation House, Discovery Park in Sandwich.

The event will also cover the initial assessment of principal issues, the deadlines for the submission or publication of reports, responses and comments, hearings and accompanied site inspections, as well as remaining submissions regarding the procedure submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by 3 December.

To remind, Vattenfall submitted the DCO application in June and the month after the UK Secretary of State accepted the document for examination.

The Secretary of State is expected to decide on the application by the middle of next year. If approved, Thanet Extension will extend the 300MW Thanet offshore wind farm.

The proposed wind farm will consist of up to 34 turbines located 8km offshore Kent, potentially doubling the output of the existing 100-turbine wind farm with more powerful machines.