Hornsea Four windfarm approved by Government
Orsted’s Hornsea Four windfarm, 69km off Flamborough Head, has been approved by Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The 180-turbine windfarm is expected to produce up to 2.6GW of electricity when operational – enough to supply a million homes.
Orsted, which currently operates 13 windfarms in the UK including Hornsea One and Hornsea Two, which currently produce 6.2GW of electricity. It has three further UK windrarms in development. The Danish firm aims to produce 30GW globally by 2030.
Undersea cables from Hornsea Four will reach the shore south of Bridlington, then link to substations between Beverley and Hull. The windfarm will be operated from Orsted’s East Coast Hub in Grimsby.
A company spokesperson said the approval marked the end of a “rigorous process”. The decision on the site was initially due in February, but deferred until now.
“Hornsea Four is the first ever offshore wind farm to be examined alongside a derogation case including environmental compensation,” the spokesperson added. “We are now reviewing the full detail of the development consent order and will continue to work closely with stakeholders and local communities as we look to take Hornsea Four forward sensitively and sustainably.
“Climate change remains a very serious threat to our environment and habitats and there is an ever pressing need to act. We must accelerate the build-out of renewable energy if we are to meet our global climate goals and net-zero targets, as well as ensuring projects deliver long-term value. Offshore wind projects such as Hornsea Four are key to the UK’s energy security and will bring billions of pounds of investment into the UK, provide low-cost electricity for consumers and thousands of high-quality jobs.”
Planning Inspectorate chief executive Paul Morrison said: “The Planning Inspectorate has now examined more than 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the Planning Act 2008 process was introduced, ensuring local communities have had the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them.
“Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this six-month examination. The examining authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.”
