Norwegian energy company Equinor is planning to develop the proposed extensions to the Dudgeon and Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farms off the east coast of England as a single integrated project.
The plan was outlined in the scoping report supporting the environmental impact assessments for the extensions, which was released this month.
Equinor said is has accepted an offer from National Grid to connect an integrated project at the Norwich main, which is capable of accommodating both extensions.
The scoping report noted that the exact locations of the offshore and onshore infrastructure are not yet finalised.
“Site selection activities are ongoing and responses to the Scoping Request and an ongoing program of consultation will help to inform the refinement of the projects as the EIA is progressed,” the report said.
Equinor said an integrated approach would “benefit the planning and construction of the electrical infrastructure system” and is “likely to reduce the overall environmental impact”.
Such an approach would also “respond to any concerns regarding the lack of a holistic approach to offshore wind development in general”.
Equinor noted, “given the different ownership of the projects, a separated grid option … will allow the projects to be constructed in a phased approach, if necessary”.
The scoping report added that the application will therefore “seek consent for alternative grid solutions in the same overall corridors to allow for both the integrated and separated grid options”.
An extension of up to 317MW is being sought for Sheringham Shoal, which is owned by Equinor, Green Investment Group and Equitix, and 402MW for Dudgeon, which Equinor owns in partnership with Masdar and China Resources.