Vattenfall has narrowed the search areas for potential sites for onshore electrical infrastructure at the 1.8GW Norfolk Vanguard and 1.8GW Norfolk Boreas offshore wind farms.
The Swedish company said landfall for the export cable running from the wind farms will be south of Happisburgh, as this will avoid a marine conservation zone but still provide enough space to accommodate cabling from both projects.
It added that two search areas have been identified for cable relay stations west of Happisburgh, if the company opts for HVAC cables.
“The sites enable relative seclusion, co-location of both, good access, opportunities to minimise visual impact through topography and screening,” Vattenfall said.
Further refinements have also been made to the 60km underground cable route search area from landfall to Necton, where the wind farm will connect with the National Grid, the company added.
Norfolk Vanguard project manager Ruari Lean said: “Thanks to feedback from communities in Norfolk and environmental specialists we have been able to further refine search areas for the onshore electrical infrastructure.
“The search areas have been chosen because we believe they offer the best opportunity to minimise impact – not least our early decision to lay underground the 60km transmission cables.”
The company said it will continue to engage with stakeholders and residents during the summer.
In the autumn, Vattenfall will hold drop-in sessions to show Norfolk Vanguard’s final proposed design – on and offshore – and the assessment by independent specialists of its environmental impact.
Image: Vattenfall
Vattenfall narrows Norfolk grid plan
Refinements made to onshore cable routes for Vanguard and Boreas projects
By EBS