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Rampion 2 launches consultation

By: Tom Russell 15/01/2021 Rampion

General Windfarms

Developers of the Rampion 2 offshore wind farm have launched a four-week informal consultation this week (14 January 2021), to raise awareness and seek feedback on their initial proposals to expand the Rampion project off the Sussex coast.

A full and formal consultation will follow later in the year, ahead of submission of a development consent application to build the new, clean energy infrastructure project.

In autumn last year, it was announced that an offshore ‘Area of Search’ was being assessed for a maximum of up to 116 turbines, the same number as the existing Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. The results of technical and environmental surveys and stakeholder feedback will be used to identify the optimum site for the new wind farm, which will be located somewhere within this area.

A subsea export cable is proposed to bring the power ashore under Climping beach, with an underground onshore cable route required to bring the power inland to connect to the national transmission grid at Bolney, where three potential sites are being considered for a new substation.

“For the past 18 months, we have undertaken a series of desktop studies and site surveys to establish the physical lay of the land. We have also been talking with many local authorities, MPs, parish councils and experts on wildlife, environment, transport, geology, archaeology, business and fishing,” said Chris Tomlinson, Development & Stakeholder Manager, Rampion 2.

Tomlinson added: “We will use the results of our investigations and stakeholder engagement to identify the best possible sites for the onshore and offshore project elements, while minimising disturbance to the local community and environment in delivering this vital green energy project.

“At this early stage, we would very much welcome feedback from the Sussex community so that we are aware of all local issues, concerns and constraints as we prepare more detailed proposals for a formal public consultation later this year.”

Formal public consultation on detailed proposals will take place in mid-2021 prior to further refinements of final proposals which will form the basis of the Rampion 2 development consent application, planned to be submitted late in 2021. If consent is awarded, construction would begin 2025/26 at the earliest with a view to having a completed, operational project before the end of the decade, contributing to Government targets to secure clean, green energy supplies and tackle climate change.

Rampion is the only wind farm off the south coast of England and this densely populated region is where much of the electricity demand is concentrated. Rampion 2 is being developed by RWE on behalf of a joint venture company including a Macquarie-led consortium (comprising Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5, the Green Investment Group and the Universities Superannuation Scheme) and Enbridge (a leading North American energy infrastructure company). Together with owners of the existing Rampion project and they have signed an Agreement for Lease with The Crown Estate (managers of the seabed) securing an option to develop on the site.

A ‘virtual village hall’ exhibition experience can be found here offering more information and opportunities for the public share their views and any local information they think may be important for the project design. Online visitors can tour the exhibition to study maps and charts, watch a video flying over the onshore cable route options, find out how the operating Rampion Wind Farm was built, or arrange a virtual meeting with members of the Project Team to ask more detailed questions.

For more information on offshore wind farms worldwide, click here.

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Rampion 2 launches consultation

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