Equinor has applied to the Planning Inspectorate for permission to build extensions to both the Sheringham Shoal and the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farms, both of which are situated off the North Norfolk coast.
Equinor’s Development Consent Order (DCO) submission for the Sheringham Shoal Extension Project (SEP) and the Dudgeon Extension Project (DEP) comprises a detailed description of the projects together with plans, environmental assessments, and other supporting documents related to the offshore wind farms and associated transmission system needed to enable the new wind turbines to be connected to the National Grid network at the Norwich Main substation in South Norfolk. Following consultations with local community members, Equinor has sought to develop both projects together to maximise local benefits and minimise disruption. The DCO application Equinor has submitted provides for an integrated transmission system, as well as separate grid connections for each project, within the same overall onshore footprint. It is Equinor’s preference to deliver the integrated grid connection as long as the necessary regulatory changes are in place to facilitate this.
The Planning Inspectorate now has 28 days to decide whether the DCO application is sufficient to be accepted for examination. Upon such acceptance, a statutory consultation will be undertaken prior to examination which provides SEP and DEP stakeholders, including members of Norfolk’s coastal and inland communities, with the opportunity to formally review and comment on Equinor’s plans in the accepted application.