The UK Planning Inspectorate has concluded a six-month review of RWE's application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the 1.2GW Rampion 2 wind farm off the coast of southern England. Planners now have three months to submit a recommendation to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who will decide by early February whether to grant or reject the DCO.
If approved, the proposed 90-turbine extension of the existing 400MW Rampion 1 could commence construction in 2026/27 and become operational by 2030.
The onshore cable route, chosen by the German developer, passes through the South Downs National Park, connecting a landfall site near Climping, Sussex, to substations at Cowfold and Bolney. Despite refinements during the pre-application stage, this route has been controversial.
Natural England and other stakeholders have raised objections, particularly to the placement of turbines in the easternmost part of the 196-square kilometre array area, arguing that it threatens the “defined special quality” of the national park and Sussex Heritage Coast.
In response to these concerns, RWE reduced the number of turbines from 116 to 90, cutting the size of the original array area by about 50% following an initial consultation in 2021.
