February 16, 2007
U.K.

Massive wind farm plan to go on show

The latest proposals for a giant wind farm off the Lincolnshire coast will go on show at public exhibitions in West Norfolk next week.

British Gas’ parent company, Centrica, submitted a planning application for the 250-megawatt Lincs project to the Department for Trade and Industry last month.

If permission is granted, construction of the wind farm, which could have between 41 and 83 turbines, depending on the size of generator chosen, could start in 2009.

The development has been earmarked for a site five miles east of Skegness, in the Greater Wash, and would be capable of supplying clean electricity to around 140,000 British Gas customers, as well as saving 565,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Lying beyond the company’s smaller wind farm schemes, Lynn and Inner Dowsing, which are due to get underway this year and will comprise a total of 54 generators, it would be visible on the far horizon from the North Norfolk coast.

Power would come ashore via buried undersea cables and connect to the National Grid at a major sub-station at the Walpoles, near King’s Lynn.

Although there have been previous exhibitions about the Lincs project, the displays at Hunstanton Town Hall on Thursday (February 22) and Lynn Corn Exchange on Friday will allow visitors to see the results of various environmental studies carried out over the last range from geology, shipping and navigation to archaeology and seabed communities.

Both events will be open from 11am to 5pm.

A Centrica spokesman said the project would have no significant environmental impact.

A decision on the application is expected from the DTI in a year to 18 months’ time.

# Plans have also been submitted for a windfarm at Sheringham Shoal, off the North Norfolk coast.

The project could involve 108 turbines which are nearly twice as tall as Norwich Cathedral and would be about 20km off the coast, generating enough power for 176,000 homes.

By Sue Skinner

edp24.co.uk

15 February 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/02/16/massive-wind-farm-plan-to-go-on-show/