Go-ahead for Vattenfall’s 3.6GW Norfolk offshore wind zone

The UK government has given the “second'” green light to Vattenfall, for its 1800MW Norfolk Vanguard Norfolk Vanguard (1800MW) Offshoreoff Norfolk, UK, Europe Click to see full details project in the North Sea off eastern England.

The decision means Vattenfall can now progress both projects in the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. The 1800MW Norfolk Boreas Norfolk Boreas (1800MW) Offshoreoff Norfolk, UK, Europe Click to see full details wind farm was approved in December 2021.

Norfolk Vanguard had previously been granted development consent in July 2020, but this was subsequently quashed following a judicial review, with the High Court ruling that the government had failed to consider Vanguard’s and Boreas’ cumulative impacts.

The UK secretary of state’s decision letter, published on 11 February 2022, says: “The secretary of state has taken care to ensure, whilst treating the two projects separately, that their cumulative impacts are properly considered and mitigated for.”

The granting of consent for Vanguard comes too late for Vattenfall to bid the project into the current contracts for differences (CfD) auction round 4.

The Swedish utility is, nevertheless, upbeat. Danielle Lane, Vattenfall’s UK country manager, said: “Today is a major step forward for a project that will help to unlock the huge potential of offshore wind for the UK. We’re committed to making sure these projects bring real, lasting benefit to the East of England – with jobs, supply chain and skills investment throughout construction and operation.” 

There will be 180-312 turbines installed across the zone, with Siemens Gamesa’s SG 14-236 DD turbines pencilled in, pending a final investment decision. The grid infrastructure will be coordinated for both Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas and designed to reduce construction time, local disruption, environmental impact and cost to the UK energy user. First power is expected in the mid-2020s.

Once fully operational, the two offshore wind farms will generate enough electricity to supply 3.9 million homes a year. A community benefit fund worth £15 million to Norfolk will also be provided.