ScottishPower Renewables is planning to start a number of onshore and offshore surveys this summer as part of the 900MW East Anglia Two and the 800MW East Anglia One North offshore wind projects.
Onshore survey work commenced at the sites in spring 2018 with a phase 1 habitat survey completed across the entire onshore study area in April 2018. The findings of this survey have informed subsequent onshore species-specific surveys which are currently ongoing. Archaeological works will begin shortly with geophysical surveys commencing this summer, the developer said.
Onshore noise and transportation surveys will also be commencing shortly to assess baseline activity within the indicative onshore development area, with transportation surveys also being undertaken on transport routes surrounding the indicative onshore development area.
Offshore surveys
Offshore monthly bird and marine mammal surveys are ongoing and will be continuing for both East Anglia One North and East Anglia 2 until August 2018.
Geophysical and benthic surveys for the seabed were carried out in spring 2018 after an initial survey in summer 2017. This data will inform archaeological, engineering and ecological assessments.
A shipping and navigation survey for both East Anglia One North and East Anglia 2 will take place in late summer this year to identify shipping routes within the area to help understand how these routes are currently used.
The projects
The two projects are in the very early stage of development, with the Phase 3 of the community consultation, currently ongoing, scheduled to be completed by 28th August, 31 days after the last Public Information Day. The key focus of Phase 3 is to consult on the project’s indicative onshore development area with a focus on potential mitigation measures.
Scottish Power Renewables has brought forward the application date for East Anglia ONE North and deferred the application date for East Anglia TWO, which allows the consultation for both projects to run concurrently.
The developer plans to run combined consultation, stakeholder engagement and a parallel Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) consultation process for the two projects. This consultation process is scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.
The possibility of applying for consent for the two projects at the same time is also being explored.
The East Anglia Two wind farm covers an area of around 255km2 and is located some 31km offshore Lowestoft. East Anglia One North is located approximately 36km off the coast, covering an area of 209km2.