Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind has commenced its fourth round of consultation for the ambitious 1500MW project, extending an invitation to local communities and stakeholders to provide their valuable feedback.
Situated 54 kilometers (approximately 33 miles) off the coast of Lincolnshire, this substantial initiative is a collaborative effort by TotalEnergies, Corio Generation, and Gulf Energy Development. The project's core objective involves the use of underground cables to transmit power from a landfall site at Wolla Bank to a newly constructed onshore substation near Surfleet Marsh. Subsequently, it will connect to the main transmission network through new infrastructure owned and operated by National Grid.
This current phase of consultation serves the purpose of gathering feedback on Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind's updated project plans in anticipation of their Development Consent Order (DCO) application, scheduled for submission in the first quarter of 2024.
Chris Jenner, the Development Director for Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind, emphasized the pivotal role the project will play in the UK's pursuit of a net-zero energy system, stating, “The Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind project and the renewable energy it will produce will become an essential component of the UK's net-zero energy system, delivering opportunities and empowering transformational environmental change. One of our overarching goals is to have a net positive impact on the local environment by avoiding, minimizing, or offsetting impacts wherever practicable. The feedback from consultees to date has helped us to refine our proposals with this in mind, and we look forward to receiving feedback during our Autumn Consultation to further develop our Project.”
The project team has implemented a diverse range of methods for communities and consultees to provide feedback on the project plans. These include information dissemination in local public spaces, an online exhibition, webinars, and public information events scheduled at five different locations across Lincolnshire. This extensive engagement strategy underscores the project's commitment to transparency and community involvement as it progresses toward its goals in the renewable energy sector.
