North Falls Offshore Wind Farm’s Development Consent Order (DCO) application has been accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
This marks a milestone for the joint venture between RWE Offshore Wind and SSE Renewables, following the submission of the project’s application in July.
The project is now set to move into the pre-examination phase of the consenting process, expected to begin next year.
“North Falls is set to play a key role in the U.K.’s net zero ambitions, as well as unlocking opportunities to create jobs and boost the supply chain in the local area,” says Andy Paine, North Falls’ project director.
“We’re pleased to have reached this major milestone and look forward to the examination phase beginning in early 2025. We would like to thank those who have engaged and shared feedback with the project. Engagement with local communities, stakeholders and businesses over the last six years, alongside close coordination with the proposed Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm, has informed project development and the application we submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.”
North Falls is a proposed extension to the southern array of the existing 504 MW Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm, also a joint venture between SSE and RWE, with SSE operating the wind farm of behalf of the partners. It is set to comprise one offshore array area totalling 90 square kilometers and have a 1 GW generating capacity.
The examination is expected to take up to six months, followed by a three-month period for the Examining Authority to make recommendations to the Secretary of State about whether permission for development should be given. A final decision on consent, taken over a further three-month period, will sit with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
