UK energy secretary Ed Miliband has given the thumbs-up to a kittiwake compensation implementation and monitoring plan for Orsted’s 2.6GW Hornsea 4 wind farm off east England.
The KCIMP commits the developer to providing an artificial nesting structure at Hartlepool for two full breeding seasons before any turbines can be operated at the North Sea array.
The decision ends a long-running saga in which Orsted had initially pursued plans for an offshore ANS to be built for the 2023-consented project.
A lease was signed with the Crown Estate for two locations before Orsted determined in late 2023 “the delivery cost had far exceeded the initial budgeting”.
Miliband said he agreed with Orsted the amended proposals for an onshore ANS – which will be shared with the neighbouring 2.9GW Hornsea 3 – can fulfil kittiwake compensation requirements for 750 nest spaces.
He added the developer had “made a compelling case that the delivery of an offshore ANS would adversely affect the delivery of the project” following objections from Natural England to the new measures.