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Shortfall for North Falls offshore wind farm

4C Offshore | Mark Casey
By: Mark Casey 07/09/2023 North Falls


The proposed southern North Sea offshore wind farm, North Falls, has made a number of key project changes following a review of feedback received from its statutory large-scale consultation held during the summer.

In terms of outcomes from the feedback review, most significantly the project has dropped the northern offshore wind farm array area from its plans which will reduce both its visibility from shore and its offshore footprint, resulting in benefits for marine users such as fisheries and shipping.

North Falls is a proposed extension to the existing 504-megawatt Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm. It comprises an offshore array area of 95km2 off the East Anglia coast and a proposed onshore grid connection in Tendring, Essex.

Prior to the consultation review it comprised two offshore array areas totaling 150km2. The array removal also means that the wind farm’s closest point to shore will now be 42 kilometres, rather than the previous 22 kilometres, which will make a significant difference to what will be visible, particularly from the Suffolk coast.

Andy Paine, North Falls Project Director said: “North Falls completed its statutory consultation phase in July and since then the team has been reviewing the feedback and responses and determining how elements can be considered and what influence they can have on the proposals”.

Further changes since the end of consultation include a reduction in the number and maximum height of the project’s wind turbines, closer working with adjacent project Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm, and continuing with an offshore grid connection option as part of its proposals.

North Falls Offshore Wind Farm is being developed by a 50/50 joint venture company owned equally by SSE Renewables and RWE.


For more information about offshore wind farm projects across the globe, click here.

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