– 4-7pm, Friday 13th May, Sizewell Sports & Social Club
– 10am-1pm, Saturday 14th May, Sizewell Sports & Social Club
– Construction progress update on Galloper Offshore Wind Farm
– Details about the local projects supported by the Galloper Wind Farm Fund of £187,000
– Meet the Galloper team for informal Q&A session

Members of the Galloper Wind Farm Ltd (GWFL) project team will be in the Leiston area on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th of May to host two drop-in sessions about the Galloper Offshore Wind Farm project. Members of the public and interested parties will be able to find out more about the wind farm, learn about the progress so far with the construction, hear details of the first local projects to benefit from the community investment fund.

Toby Edmonds, GWFL Project Director said:
“Construction of the wind farm is progressing well – we’ve made good headway on the onshore substation site and we’ve started beach works to prepare for the build offshore this summer. We’re pleased to have announced the great local projects that have been awarded funds from our Galloper Wind Farm Fund, which will offer £187,000 over 17 years to local projects that contribute to the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We’ve also announced some exciting partnerships with local firms that will create and secure jobs in the local area. There will be more information on all of this at the drop-in sessions, where we look forward to meeting local residents.”

The first projects that have been selected to received funding from the Galloper Wind Farm Fund – which supports projects that contribute to the appearance, setting, conservation, amenity, accessibility and enjoyment of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB – include the Pro Corda Trust’s Sensory Garden at Leiston Abbey, fencing for the new Leiston Community Orchard, and the Thorpeness Heritage Walk.

Galloper Offshore Wind Farm is an extension of the existing and fully operational Greater Gabbard Wind Farm off the coast of Suffolk. Following community consultation, in-depth site investigations and a thorough examination by the Planning Inspectorate, Galloper was awarded Development Consent in May 2013. On the 30th of October 2015, RWE Innogy announced three new project partners and a number of investment partners for GWFL, signalling Financial Close and enabling the construction of the project to commence.

The wind farm, which has grid connection secured, represents an expected investment potential of more than £1.5 billion. The development, construction and long term operation of the wind farm signifies a major boost to the UK economy, generating economic benefits for businesses, and creating around 700 jobs during construction and around 90 jobs once operational. Companies interested in working on the Galloper wind farm project can register for procurement opportunities via the RWE procurement portal:https://supplier.rwe.com/irj/portal

It is estimated that the average annual generation expected at the site could be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of around 336,000 average UK households1. The wind farm is expected to commence operation by March 2018.

The drop-in sessions are being held on Friday 13th May from 4pm to 7pm and Saturday 14th May from 10am to 1pm at the Leiston Sports & Social Club, King Georges Avenue, Leiston IP16 4JX.

For more information about the Galloper Wind Farm visit our website:www.galloperwindfarm.com