Vattenfall cleared to start building 350-MW Vesterhav wind farms

Swedish state-owned utility Vattenfall AB has received the green light to launch the construction of its 350-MW Vesterhav Syd and Nord nearshore wind projects.

The permission was granted by the Danish Energy Agency (DEA), Vattenfall said on Monday. The regulator has concluded that the projects meet requirements related to the environment, nature and consideration for neighbours.

The decision was issued following a supplementary environmental impact assessment (EIS) for the two schemes. The new EIS had to be made after the Energy Board of Appeal cancelled and withdrew the part of Vesterhav Syd’s construction licence that concerns the EIA. This changed the developer’s original commissioning schedule and led to the cancellation of several tenders.

Vattenfall has also devised a new layout for the turbines that moves the machines further into the North Sea waters in order to maximise their distance to the coast.

Vesterhav Syd and Nord will be installed in areas designated by the Danish state back in 2012. With a capacity of 180 MW, Vesterhav Nord will be equipped with 21 turbines, installed off Lemvig municipality, while Vesterhav Syd’s 20 turbines, of 170 MW in total, will be located off Ringkobing-Skjern municipality. Siemens Gamesa hardware will be used for both wind farms.

Vesterhav Syd and Nord will generate enough electricity to cover the annual consumption of around 380,000 Danish homes, once completed.

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