This in from the Navitus Bay Developments, in their words. The graphic above is a simulated view from The Needles, provided by the developer – Ed.
As a direct result of discussions with statutory consultees and local communities, Navitus Bay has today announced a significant reduction to its proposed Wind Park in Poole Bay.
The changes, which include moving the development further out to sea and making it smaller in scale, will significantly reduce the visual impact of the project from key areas including Durlston Head, The Needles and Bournemouth.
The key changes include:
- Moving the development boundary further away from the shore. Distance of the nearest turbine to the Isle of Wight has increased from 13.5 km to 13.87 km. As well as reducing potential visual impact, this will also protect navigational safety for vessels entering the Solent.
- A 35% reduction in the maximum number of turbines that could be built from 333 to 218. Navitus Bay has narrowed the size of turbine options being considered, meaning that fewer would be built. This also means that the largest turbines will now be smaller than previously proposed, with a maximum height of 200 metres rather than 210.
- An 8% reduction in the maximum overall capacity of the project from 1200 MW to 1100 MW. In a typical year, the scheme could generate enough electricity for the domestic needs of the equivalent of around 775,000* average UK households and could avoid the emission of up to 1,150,000** tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
- A 12% reduction in the total area of seabed that will be developed from 198 square km to 175 square km. This will reduce the potential visual impact of turbines from areas to the west of the Wind Park and protect navigational safety.
Quotes
Mike Unsworth, Project Director for Navitus Bay Development Limited, explained:
“We have moved the site significantly further from the coast, reducing the potential visual and navigational impact of the Wind Park. In addition, we have reduced the maximum number of turbines in the proposal and reduced the height of the tallest turbine.
“We feel that these significant adjustments to the plans strike a good balance between responses that we have had from consultees and the technical viability from an environmental, engineering, shipping and commercial perspective. The changes demonstrate that Navitus Bay is fully engaged in the debate and willing to listen.”
Keith Moss, Deputy Project Director at Navitus Bay added:
“Listening and acting on the feedback that we receive has always been important in informing our plans for the Wind Park. The changes announced today underline our commitment to genuine consultation. We are now looking forward to discussing the updated project with the community at our next round of consultation events in February.”
The Crown Estate
Huub den Rooijen, Head of Offshore Wind at The Crown Estate, said:
“The Crown Estate awarded Navitus Bay Development Limited the rights to develop the potential offshore wind resources to the west of the Isle of Wight. As a core part of this they are engaging with local and national stakeholders to understand the impacts of the project. This is a key part of the Government’s statutory planning permission which must be granted before construction starts. Feedback gained to date has clearly fed into their plans for the project, demonstrating their sensitivity to the local area.”
A series of public consultation events will take place across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in February 2013. The exhibitions will display new and improved visualisations as well as an interactive 3D model of the site and onshore cable route.
Map of proposed area
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