BEIS Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has extended the examination of ScottishPower Renewables’ plans for its 800MW East Anglia North and 900MW East Anglia Two projects by three months.
The Planning Inspectorate’s examining authority was due to finish scrutinising the plans, which are progressing through consenting in tandem, next week.
East Anglia One North and Two will form part of the 3.1GW East Anglia Hub complex along with the already consented 1.4GW EA3 project.
The Planning Inspectorate blamed Covid-19 for the consenting delay and said national lockdowns have hampered the ability of local authorities, case teams and statutory bodies to engage effectively in the examinations.
Planners said the “range, scale and pace of the two simultaneous examinations during this unprecedented time” has led to “a strain on delivery by participants”.
The examination is now due to close on July 6.
Following closure the examining authority has up-to three months to submit its recommendations to the BEIS Secretary who has a further three-month window to grant or refuse consents.
The latest deadline for a consent ruling is now January 6 2021.
ScottishPower Renewables will need the green light sooner if it is to bid the projects into the CfD4 support auction that is scheduled to open later this year.
“Throughout the examinations process, we have continually made a robust and compelling case – as a long-standing and responsible developer – for these two essential projects and the environmental and economic benefits they will deliver for the East of England and beyond,” a ScottishPower Renewables spokesperson said.
“We will continue to work with all stakeholders within the revised timetable to resolve any outstanding issues so we can deliver the clean energy – and green future – we all need to meet both the Government’s offshore wind targets for 2030 as well as overall Net Zero ambitions for 2050.”