Triton Knoll offshore windfarm gets go ahead

The Triton Knoll offshore windfarm has been given development consent for its electrical system.

The 900MW project in Lincolnshire was granted consent by the secretary of state for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Greg Clark for the electrical system which connects the turbines into the national grid onshore.

The windfarm can now progress to the next Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction process as a fully consented project.

The windfarm could be worth £224 million and create 800 jobs in construction alone.

Triton Knoll consent delivery manager Melissa Read said: “A very thorough six-month long examination has enabled a wide range of local views to be considered in the final proposals and we are very grateful to everyone who has taken part in this process.”

In July 2013, the secretary of state granted consent for the project’s offshore wind turbines. The latest consent includes the offshore export cable, the onshore underground export cable, an intermediate electrical compound at Orby, and a new substation at Bicker Fen.

Project director James Cotter added: “Triton Knoll aims to be one of the most cost competitive offshore wind farms in Europe by seeking best value in all aspects of the project. At the same time, the project is committed to ensuring areas like the Humber, Greater Lincolnshire and East Coast economies can benefit most from its investment.”

The project is a joint venture between RWE innogy (50 per cent) and Statkraft (50 per cent), with innogy managing on behalf of the partnership.

Renewable UK has welcomed the job creation from the project. Deputy chief executive Maf Smith said: “The developers of this major infrastructure project are working hard to ensure that British supply chain companies will reap the economic benefits on offer from Triton Knoll. There’s massive potential for job creation for innovative companies in Lincolnshire, the Humber region and throughout the UK”.

Onshore site investigations have now started around the cable route and landfall, to establish key information which will inform the detailed design of the onshore works. The project anticipates hosting a series of public open days early next year to present the plans to local people.