RWE confirms locations for key onshore infrastructure related to Dogger Bank South (DBS) East and West offshore wind farms

RWE, one of the UK’s leading renewable energy companies and developer of Dogger Bank South (DBS) offshore wind farms, has published revised plans for its cable route, landfall, and substation locations. The plans, developed after detailed consultation and feedback from relevant stakeholders, local communities and the wider public will be progressed and submitted as a Development Consent Order in 2024.

RWE has taken into consideration information received from wide-ranging consultation activities with relevant stakeholders, including a series of public events held in 2022 and 2023. Feedback combined with results of detailed environmental surveys and engineering assessments, has enabled RWE to refine the plans it presented at the latest consultation event and to confirm core elements of the onshore infrastructure required to support the DBS projects.

First, the point at which the offshore cables will come ashore, the landfall site, is selected and will be in the area identified as Landfall Zone 8, south of the Parkdean Caravan Park, Skipsea. This location avoids a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Second, the cable route from landfall to the converter station is now narrower than previously presented and avoids interaction with areas identified as of concern, for example significant heritage assets around Nunkeeling Priory and designated landscape at Westwood Common.

Third, the two converter stations will be co-located in the area identified as Substation Zone 4, south of Beverley and RWE has removed options for a second substation zone or onward cabling at Woodmansey.

“We have thoroughly reviewed all potential cable route, substation and landfall zones in the Preliminary Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) which identifies potentially significant impacts of the proposals,” said Danielle Lane, Director Offshore Development UK and Ireland. “Predicting impacts this early enables us to discuss them with stakeholders and to adjust designs to avoid or minimise adverse impacts.

The feedback we received from all our stakeholders has been extremely valuable and has helped us to decide which options to take forward. We are currently working with everyone with a land interest in areas involved in adjustments made since we shared the PEIR in the Summer.”

Danielle Lane added, “We will continue to develop the project proposals onshore and offshore over the coming months as we prepare to submit the Development Consent Order application in 2024.”

All consultation documents, the PEIR, RWE’s Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) and newsletters issued to those who signed up to receive them are available on the project website www.doggerbanksouth.co.uk.