Delayed UK approval for 1.7GW Iberdrola offshore wind

The UK has granted development consent to the remaining 1.7GW of Iberdrola’s planned 3.1GW East Anglia Hub cluster off the east coast of England, following an extended consultation.

Secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy Kwasi Kwarteng approved the 800MW East Anglia ONE North East Anglia ONE North (800MW) Offshoreoff Suffolk, England, UK, Europe Click to see full details and 900MW East Anglia TWO East Anglia TWO (900MW) Offshoreoff Suffolk, England, UK, Europe Click to see full details projects, enabling them to compete at auction.

The projects will comprise up to 67 turbines and 75 turbines, respectively.

Kwarteng was due to give a decision on the projects in early January, but delayed it until March to allow more time for consultations on issues including wildlife protection and flood risk.

The delay took Iberdrola past the cut-off date for eligibility in the UK’s latest contract for difference (CfD) tender.

ScottishPower Renewables had previously stated that it intended to enter the three remaining projects in the UK’s ongoing CfD auction, and to deliver the three projects as a single 3.1GW development.

Siemens Gamesa is due to supply 14MW turbines for the East Anglia offshore wind hub. This includes the 1400MW East Anglia THREE East Anglia THREE (1400MW) Offshoreoff Suffolk, UK, Europe Click to see full details project, which has already received development consent.