An offshore wind farm developer and a Kent airport are to work together to address challenges posed by wind turbines to operations at Manston Airport.
Vattenfall, the developer of an up to 17 turbine extension to the existing Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm, and Manston Airport are collaborating on a mitigation strategy to address challenges posed by operating wind turbines on the radar system at the airport. This strategy would be implemented should the scheme gain consent from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in the spring. Both parties are confident mitigation is achievable and good progress is being made to enable the airport and the extended wind farm to operate safely alongside each other.
Therefore to enable a successful outcome, Vattenfall has revised its programme so that construction of the wind farm extension will commence in 2015.
The investment to improve the radar at the airport will only be made if the Secretary of State approves the scheme. Vattenfall could then make a final investment decision, which triggers construction of the Kentish Flats Extension (KFE), when all parties agree that radar solutions have been effective.
Goran Loman, Vattenfall’s Project Manager for KFE , said: “The amended programme does not change the project in any way and in particular our engagement with local suppliers.”
He added: “All eyes are now on the Secretary of State whose decision is due in March this year. If this is favourable, we will confirm the updated timetable after Vattenfall makes a final investment decision.”
Melanie Rogers, Vattenfall’s Local Communications Adviser , said: “The amended schedule means that the Kent supply chain has more time to engage with the scheme and we will continue to work with organisations such as Locate in Kent and, more recently, High Growth Kent. We will also provide regular project updates on the Kent Wind Energy website as well as our own website.”
If consented, the Kentish Flats Extension could generate up to 150,000 megawatt hours per year of clean electricity. This is the equivalent to the total annual electricity needs of up to 35,000 UK households. This power will be fed into the National Grid and help the UK deliver its renewable energy and climate change objectives.
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Press release, January 14, 2013; Image: Vattenfall