The UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has awarded planning consent for Vattenfall’s Norfolk Boreas offshore wind farm.
The wind farm, which could produce enough electricity to power almost 2 million UK homes, will also bring significant community and skills investment directly into Norfolk, Vattenfall said.
With consent now granted, work will begin to engage with the supply chain to prepare for construction, which is expected to begin in 2023.
Norfolk Boreas , which is part of Vattenfall’s Norfolk Zone, has been designed to use a coordinated grid connection. By using the very latest technology, the onshore cable corridor has been more than halved, reducing construction time and impacts, according to Vattenfall.
The wind farm will feature Siemens Gamesa SG 14‑236 DD wind turbines installed at least 72 kilometres off the coast of Norfolk.
The Norfolk Zone includes plans for more than GBP 15 million in direct community funding to Norfolk as well as a skills investment package that will support local institutions to upskill the next generation to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities in the industry.
The project is also expected to unlock supply chain opportunities across a wide range of sectors – from construction through to operation, and high-tech sectors such as Artificial Intelligence and Digitalisation.
”This announcement and decision is a multi billion pound boost to the UK’s climate change progress, and keeps the East of England at the forefront of the green energy revolution,” Danielle Lane , Country Manager for Vattenfall said.
”There will be a wealth of supply chain opportunities for companies, as well high skilled green jobs, coming directly to Norfolk. This project, alongside its sister project Norfolk Vanguard will be a world leading example of what well-coordinated energy delivery looks like, whilst making sure that low cost renewable energy is produced for UK consumers. We look forward to start work in the New Year with local communities, UK suppliers and our partners in Norfolk to bring this project to fruition and unlock its huge potential.”