No new offshore wind farm for the Dorset coast

The government has refused planning permission for the proposed Navitus Bay offshore wind farm, which would have been located off the coasts of Dorset and the Isle of Wight. To have been built by EDF Energy, the wind farm would have included up to 194 turbines and had a generating capacity of up to 970 MW.

The proposed wind farm had been bitterly opposed by MPs in Dorset and Bournemouth Borough Council, which warned of degradation to the setting of the ‘Jurassic Coast’ and damage to the tourist industry.

Moving onshore, Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom also rejected planning applications for four proposed new onshore wind farms in Wales, while granting permission for one – the Llandinam wind farm. An application for the proposed Llandinam to Welshpool Substation overhead power line connection was also refused. The decisions follow a combined public inquiry.

Meanwhile, Mainstream Renewable Power has concluded its negotiations with DONG Energy for the sale of its remaining interest in the SMart Wind offshore wind consortium.

SMart Wind is a joint venture between Mainstream and Siemens Financial Services, which was formed in 2009 to bid for and then to develop the 4,000 MW Hornsea Offshore Wind Zone in the UK North Sea as part of The Crown Estate’s licensing round for large-scale offshore wind projects (Round 3).

DONG Energy bought the first phase of the Hornsea Zone in February 2015 from Mainstream and Siemens Financial Services. At 1,200 MW it is one of the world’s largest fully consented offshore wind farms. Now, in acquiring SMart Wind, DONG will continue the development of the remainder of the Zone.

Last, work has begun at the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, in readiness for the first foundation installation in January. This will include clearing boulders on the seabed along the cable route and around each of the 116 foundation positions to allow safe and effective installation.