Smart Wind’s application for 1.2-GW offshore wind scheme goes to UK govt

Sep 24, 2014 - The examination report for UK firm Smart Wind’s 1.2-GW Hornsea phase I wind project off England’s northeastern coast has been passed to the UK government for review.

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey, is expected to decide on whether to grant approval by December 10, the developer said on Wednesday. The application of Smart Wind, a joint venture of Irish firm Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Financial Services, was accepted for examination by the UK Planning Inspectorate in August 2013. The latter will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State.

The 1.2-GW phase I Hornsea wind farm, to be located in the North Sea, off Yorkshire, will be powered by up to 332 turbines. The scheme consists of the 600-MW Njord and 600-MW Heron projects. If approved, offshore construction works on the two projects could start as early as 2016, the developer said previously.

Meanwhile, Smart Wind said that consultation for the 1.8-GW Hornsea phase II project was completed on July 30. Following the initiative, the company has slightly changed the route of the underground onshore cable route and related infrastructure for the up to 360-turbine scheme. It will file anapplication with the Planning Inspectorate at end-2014.

The Hornsea phase I and II are portions of a 4-GW development.

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