The U.K.'s Crown Estate has announced an additional 2 GW of capacity from the Round 1 and Round 2 project extensions. Three Round 1 and Round 2 offshore wind farm operators have been selected to extend five sites, creating an additional 1.7 GW.
In addition, a further 340 MW has been offered to increase capacity within the current Round 1 and Round 2 site areas for two other projects. These awards will help to provide a stable flow of construction projects to the offshore wind supply chain in advance of Round 3, according to the Crown Estate.
The selected developers – SSE Renewables, RWE Npower Renewables, Vattenfall Wind Power and Dong Wind U.K. – are existing Round 1 and Round 2 operators and are expected to finalize agreements with the Crown Estate in the coming weeks. After this, developers will commence the statutory consenting process.
Each area extension will require a full, new planning application, including an environmental impact assessment and a full consultation. The Crown Estate will only grant a lease allowing construction to start when statutory consents have been obtained from appropriate decision-making bodies.
It is anticipated that construction of the Round 1 and Round 2 extensions will commence in 2014, subject to consents, with completion of all projects expected by the end of 2016 in advance of Round 3.
SOURCE: The Crown Estate
