01MAR22 On behalf of Sheringham Shoal Extension and Dudgeon Extension partnerships, Equinor is hosting a series of Public Information Days on the week commencing 7th March 2022. These events will allow local stakeholders to learn more about the extension projects, provide an opportunity to ask questions to the project team, and for the project team to understand local concerns. Due to COVID-19 much of our engagement has been virtual, but Equinor recognises the benefits of face-to-face engagement, and will be hosting four events across Norfolk. The details of these events can be found below.
Full details of these events can be found on our project website:
https://sepanddep.commonplace.is/overview
Equinor already operates the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farms off the coast of Norfolk. The Sheringham Shoal Extension Project (SEP) and Dudgeon Extension Project (DEP) will make an important contribution to the UK’s renewable energy targets and decarbonisation goals. They will have the potential to generate enough renewable electricity to power 785,000 UK homes.
SEP and DEP are classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) which means Equinor will apply for a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Secretary of State for Business Energy and industrial Strategy (BEIS). Equinor and its partners are seeking to minimise potential impacts on the community and the environment by proposing a shared onshore grid connection footprint for the two projects and applying for one common DCO. This is an industry first; two separately owned projects have never made a common DCO application before, and it is hoped this approach will pave the way for other coordinated projects in the UK.
In October 2021, we announced our decision to extend the preapplication period for the SEP and DEP projects to allow time to carry out additional analysis and further develop proposals. We had originally planned to submit the Development Consent Order (DCO) by the end of 2021, we now intend to make the submission to the planning directorate by summer 2022.
About Equinor in Norfolk
Equinor is a long-term partner for Norfolk and has been an active member of the community for over a decade through the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms it operates off the Norfolk coast.
The Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm is owned by Equinor, Masdar and China Resources, whilst Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is owned by Equinor, Equitix Offshore 5 (co-owned by Equitix and the Renewable Investment Group TRIG) and a fund managed by Macquarie Asset Management).
Currently, the combined output of both wind farms is sufficient to power around 710,000 UK homes, and the proposed extensions will increase that to more than 1.5 million UK households.
Both wind farms have established community funds which in total have awarded over £1 million to projects in Norfolk. The funds were set up to provide grants to Norfolk community groups, including schools and NGOs, seeking financial assistance for projects or initiatives that meet key criteria and focus on renewable energy, marine environment and safety, sustainability, or education in these areas.
Issue date: 01-03-22
For media enquiries, please contact:
For consultation or community enquiries, please contact:
Nigel Tompkins, the Project's Community Liaison Officer based in Norfolk,
E: nigel@ni4b.co.uk
Susan Falch-Lovesey, Stakeholder Manager, Equinor
E: SUFA@equinor.com
T: +447500795305