The UK’s Planning Inspectorate has completed its six-month examination of the proposed Dogger Bank South (DBS) offshore wind farms, a significant procedural step in the approval process for the 3-gigawatt (GW) project.
Located more than 100 kilometres off the north-east coast of England, the two DBS wind farms are being developed as part of a joint venture between RWE and Masdar. If approved, the projects could generate enough electricity to supply approximately three million UK homes annually.
RWE is leading the development, construction, and future operation of the projects. “We are delighted to have reached this milestone for the DBS projects, the most powerful offshore wind farms currently progressing through the NSIP planning process,” said Danielle Lane, RWE’s director of offshore wind development in the UK and Ireland. “Beyond delivering clean electricity to millions of homes, these projects have the potential to provide a significant economic boost, particularly to the north-east of England.”
Masdar’s director of global offshore wind, Husain Al Meer, described the examination’s conclusion as “one stage closer to the all-important green light for the DBS projects,” adding that they are “set to play a leading role in the UK’s energy transformation.”
Since January, the Planning Inspectorate has reviewed environmental, technical and socio-economic factors associated with the proposed infrastructure, as part of the UK’s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) framework. The agency is expected to submit its recommendations to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero within three months. A final decision on development consent is anticipated within six months.
The DBS projects form part of the UK’s broader efforts to expand offshore wind capacity in support of its net zero emissions goals and energy security strategy.
