London Array – the world’s largest offshore wind farm covering an area of 90 sq miles (232 sq km) between Margate in Kent and Clacton, Essex was granted a Section 36 consent (to build the offshore components of the wind farm) from the DTI on Monday 18th December.

RPS co-ordinated and prepared the Environmental Statement (ES) on behalf of London Array Limited in support of the first of the Round 2 UK offshore wind farm projects to apply for consents. The wind farm will generate up to 1000 MW (1GW)* of renewable energy, enough to supply 750,000 homes – equivalent to the household demand of Kent and East Sussex combined or a quarter of Greater London.

RPS provided environmental services including the provision of a dedicated project manager to the consortium for the duration of the ES production. The specialist surveys and studies included Ecology and Ornithology; Noise (including marine); Landscape and Visual Resources; Historic Environment (including Archaeology); Agriculture and Soils; Traffic and Transport; Shellfisheries; and Drainage. RPS also provided specification and management of the onshore and offshore surveys.

The full development, costing up to £1.5bn, will have up to 341 turbines rising from the sea about 12 miles (20km) off the Kent and Essex coasts, as well as up to five offshore substations and up to four meteorological masts. When connected to the national grid transmission system the wind farm will prevent the emission of 1.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year – 1% of the Government’s 2010 renewable energy target of 10%.

* 1 GW is the approximate generating capacity of a nuclear power station.

Notes:

1. The onshore substation was refused permission by Swale Borough Council and is being appealed at Public Inquiry in March 2007. RPS will be providing expert witnesses for Landscape, Ecology and Ornithology, and Traffic and Transport.
2. The consortium behind the London Array consists of Shell WindEnergy Ltd, E.ON UK Renewables and Core Ltd. (Farm Energy and Energi E2).
3. The RPS renewables business is an international co-operation between operating units within the RPS Group. The services cover the full range of technical, planning, procurement and supervision of all stages of project work from initial feasibility studies through to completion.

For more information contact:

Onshore components:
Tel: 01235 838 231

Offshore components:
Tel: 01483 746523