RWE Renewables has launched a four-week informal consultation for its proposed up to 1200MW Rampion 2 offshore wind farm off the south coast of England.
The consultation is to raise awareness and seek feedback on the initial proposals for up to 116 turbines off Sussex alongside an operational 400MW project.
A subsea export cable is proposed to bring the power ashore under Climping beach, with an underground onshore cable route required to bring the power inland to connect to the national transmission grid at Bolney, where three potential sites are being considered for a new substation.
A ‘virtual village hall’ exhibition experience has gone live online for people to find out more and to share their views and any local information they think may be important for the project design.
Formal public consultation on detailed proposals will take place in mid-2021 prior to further refinements of final proposals which will form the basis of the Rampion 2 development consent application, planned to be submitted late in 2021.
If consent is awarded, construction would begin 2025/26 at the earliest with a view to having a completed, operational project before the end of the decade.
“For the past 18 months, we have undertaken a series of desktop studies and site surveys to establish the physical lay of the land,” said Chris Tomlinson, development and stakeholder manager.
“At this early stage, we would very much welcome feedback from the Sussex community so that we are aware of all local issues, concerns and constraints as we prepare more detailed proposals for a formal public consultation later this year.”