Equinor secures leases for 700-MW-plus UK offshore wind extensions

Equinor ASA on Tuesday formally announced the signing of Agreements for Lease (AfL) with The Crown Estate for two UK offshore wind park extensions that will add up to 719 MW of total capacity.

The Norwegian energy company said it has secured an area of seabed of about 196 km in total to implement the Sheringham Extension and Dudgeon Extension projects, both of which successfully progressed through the plan level Habitats Regulations Assessment stage (HRA) last year.

At present, Equinor operates the 317-MW Sheringham Shoal and 402-MW Dudgeon wind parks off the Norfolk Coast. The planned extensions are expected to double the capacity of each plant.

“With good wind conditions, a short distance to shore and a location next to our existing wind farms, the two areas are perfectly suited to build on our offshore wind portfolio,” commented Kari Hege Mork, project manager at Equinor.

The company noted that it is developing the two projects jointly to minimise local impacts and plans to apply for a common Development Consent Order. It is also consulting on both projects together.

Equinor operates both of the original wind farms but shares the ownership with other investors. More specifically, it owns Sheringham Shoal alongside the Green Investment Group (GIG) and Equitix through a joint venture called Scira Offshore Energy Ltd. As per Dudgeon, it is owned by Equinor, Masdar and China Resources Power.

While the Dudgeon Extension is owned jointly by the same trio as the original wind park, Sheringham Shoal is controlled solely by Equinor. However, GIG and Equitix have retained the right to re-enter the project during the construction phase.

Source: renewablesnow.com

Read the latest issue of the OGV Energy magazine HERE.