Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind has formally applied to the UK government's Planning Inspectorate for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for its proposed 1500MW offshore wind project. The application is now under review, and the Planning Inspectorate has 28 days to decide whether to accept it for examination.
Situated 54km off the Lincolnshire coast, the Outer Dowsing project is a collaboration between TotalEnergies, Corio Generation, and Gulf Energy Development. The DCO application includes plans for an offshore wind farm comprising up to 100 turbines, underground cables to transport power from the landfall site near Anderby Marsh, and a new onshore substation at Surfleet Marsh. The electricity generated will be connected to existing National Grid overhead transmission lines in the Weston Marsh area.
The development has undergone extensive consultation, with multiple rounds held from November 2022 to earlier this year, engaging nearly 1500 community members. Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind development director, Chris Jenner, emphasized the project's importance in reducing energy imports and emissions, stating, “This application is the culmination of many studies, surveys, community meetings, and consultation events. We have taken on board feedback to design the project in the most environmentally sensitive way.”
If the DCO application is accepted, the project will proceed to the examination stage. A panel of independent inspectors will review the application and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State on whether the project should proceed. This process allows for public input, enabling anyone to voice their opinions on the project's development.
