EDF Renewables plans to build phase two of the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator (BOD) wind farm off the coast of Northumberland using floating offshore wind technology.
EDF Renewables is already working on project planning for phase two with a consent variation and procurement activities underway to use the Blyth site for the installation of up to 5 further turbines. This would be in an already identified array location 14km from the shore in water depths of around 55 metres. The capacity for phase two has still to be finalised but the current consent for BOD wind farm is for a maximum of 99.9 MW, leaving a remaining capacity of 58.4MW. The turbines to be installed in the BOD Phase two project will be constructed on floating sub structures. The project has yet to select the key contractors including the turbine supplier but a range of floating technology options are being considered, with the final design still to be determined by further detailed engineering studies.The development timescale for BOD phase two has not yet been finalised. However, subject to detailed programming, the target is for it to be fully commissioned by Spring 2025.
The first phase of the wind farm consists of 5 wind turbines and was constructed in 2017. It has a generating capacity of 41.5MW and the first UK offshore wind farm to utilise float and submerge gravity base foundations, as well as 66KV rated inter array and export cables to connect the turbines to an onshore substation.