With ongoing Covid-19 restrictions prohibiting face-to-face exhibitions and information events, local communities can now comment in an online consultation about plans to double the capacity of two wind farms off the Norfolk coast.
Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm. Photo: Equinor/Andrew Saunders
Norwegian state-owned energy company Equinor, which operates the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farms, plans to double the capacity of the two farms to provide an additional 820,000 homes with renewable energy.
The 200-metre-wide onshore cable corridor is planned to pass through the district with a new cable trench to be dug to the east of Cawston.
The consultation will also focus on the onshore construction compound locations, refinement of the landfall working area, landfall cable corridor routes, and onshore substation locations and access routes. It will also focus on how the work will impact seascape views.
The company said it was aiming to minimise potential impacts on the community and the environment by pursuing a shared onshore corridor for the two projects.
Equinor project director Kari Hege Mørk said: “We were very pleased with the community response to the phase one consultation, which supported further development of our proposals, and would like to thank everyone that took the time to respond.
“Despite physical restrictions in place, we received a huge amount of engagement and much of that feedback has been incorporated into the refined project plans, which we are now presenting.
“We look forward to updating the Norfolk communities on how the plans have progressed, continuing to involve and receive their comments on the proposals.
“We are, of course, very disappointed that Covid-19 is still preventing us from holding in-person meetings with the Norfolk community.
“To support community engagement during this important consultation period, once again we have various channels of communication open. I hope these will again encourage a widespread and meaningful response.”
More than 11,000 homes near to the proposed onshore cable corridor from Weybourne to the Norwich Main substation have been mailed a consultation leaflet and feedback form.
Members of the public can also comment at the consultation website.
There will also be a virtual exhibition where nearby residents can see the proposed plans, along with telephone Q&A sessions for those unable to access the internet.