The Crown Estate is proceeding with its Capacity Increase Programme to maximise the potential of existing offshore wind lease areas and add 4.7 GW of renewable energy.
According to The Crown Estate, an additional 4.7 GW of renewable energy could be generated from the delivery of the programme by amending existing seabed rights to increase the capacity of seven offshore wind farms located around England and Wales.
The seven projects, which have existing grid connections and infrastructure, are Awel y Môr, Dudgeon Extension, Sheringham Shoal Extension, North Falls, Five Estuaries, Rampion 2, and Dogger Bank D.
The wind farms were awarded rights in either The Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 3 or the 2017 Offshore Wind Extensions opportunity.
A plan-level Habitats Regulations Assessment was undertaken to assess the effect of the Capacity Increase Programme on protected habitats.
After this had been concluded, The Crown Estate recommended to the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero that the programme should proceed on the basis of a derogation, with compensation measures to address the identified impacts on marine habitats and species. This recommendation has been agreed to by the Secretary of State, according to The Crown Estate.
“Delivering the Capacity Increase Programme is an effective way to provide up to four million homes with secure, clean energy and further decrease the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels, often sourced internationally. Balancing the needs of energy and nature is an important responsibility we carefully consider, and we’re confident in the environmental compensation measures which will accompany the delivery of the programme,” said Gus Jaspert , Managing Director, Marine at The Crown Estate.
The Crown Estate said that proceeding with the capacity increases is in the national interest due to the contribution towards the UK’s 2030 clean power targets and the decarbonisation of the electricity grid by 2035.
SSE and Equinor welcomed the decision and said that it allows for the ongoing progression of the up to 2 GW Dogger Bank D, a proposed fourth phase of the 3.6 GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm currently in construction in the North Sea.
The project would connect to the national electricity infrastructure network at National Grid’s planned new 400 kV substation at Birkhill Wood in East Riding of Yorkshire.
“Working with our joint venture partner, we now look forward to engaging closely with The Crown Estate on the next steps to agree the progression of Dogger Bank D, while also progressing the project to secure a new Development Consent Order. If delivered Dogger Bank D can play a vital contribution towards the UK’s clean power targets from offshore wind,” said Paul Cooley , Director of Offshore Wind, SSE Renewables.
NOTE: Updated on 14 May with more information about the Dogger Bank D offshore wind project.