UK Energy Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, has granted Swedish multinational power company Vattenfall a Development Consent Order (DCO) to begin works on their Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm project.
Initial approval for the project was due to be determined in July, but Kwarteng triggered a pause on the process soon after announcing plans to redetermine Vattenfall’s 1.8GW Norfolk Vanguard sister project.
The decision gives approval for the construction, operation, and maintenance of up to 158 Siemens Gamesa turbines located approximately 72km off the Norfolk coast.
The Swedish developer intends to bid for Boreas in the UK government’s fourth Contracts for Difference (CfDs) round, which opened today.
Construction on Boreas is expected to begin in 2023 and Vattenfall expects to achieve first power from the Norfolk projects in the middle of this decade.
It will use four 1.5 metre-wide cable duct trenches to transport all electricity produced by the two projects. It will also use a phased approach to construction, whereby cable works are completed in short sections along the cable route with the land quickly restored to minimise local and environmental impacts.
Danielle Lane, Vattenfall country manager, said: “This decision is a win for Norfolk and a win for the climate.
“It means a multi-billion investment in the UK which will keep the East of England at the forefront of the green energy revolution.
“There will be a wealth of supply chain opportunities for companies, as well high skilled green jobs, coming directly to Norfolk.
“This project, alongside its sister project Norfolk Vanguard will be a world leading example of what well-coordinated energy delivery looks like, whilst making sure that low cost renewable energy is produced for UK consumers.
“We look forward to start work in the New Year with local communities, UK suppliers and our partners in Norfolk to bring this project to fruition and unlock its huge potential.”
Image credit: Vattenfall
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