The developer of two offshore windfarms off the coast of Scotland that were originally consented four years ago wants to take advantage of new, larger turbines and improvements in foundations. Seagreen Wind Energy Limited has submitted an application to Marine Scotland for Section 36 consents and marine licences for optimised iterations of the Seagreen Alpha and Seagreen Bravo offshore windfarms. The application is for similar, but improved designs of the currently consented windfarm projects in the same area, based on fewer, larger, higher capacity wind turbines than currently consented and including a monopile foundation option. As OWJ reported in March 2018, this will allow Seagreen to take advantage of advances in turbine design and monopile construction since Seagreen Alpha and Seagreen bravo were originally consented in 2014. The application is supported by a full environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, including a habitats regulations assessment which has been completed in accordance with the Scottish ministers scoping opinion in September 2017 and subsequent detailed consultation with key stakeholder bodies.
Offshore Wind Journal 21st Sept 2018 read more »