- Construction well underway at the 336MW wind farm
- Second and final export cable being installed at Sizewell beach
- Beach will remain open
The final phase of Galloper construction work at Sizewell beach is well underway with the team preparing for the installation of the second and final export cable for the offshore wind farm. The cable will bring the power generated from the offshore wind farm to the onshore substation that will connect to the National Grid. The works will be completed, and the site demobilized this summer, with the beach being returned to its original condition.
Toby Edmonds, Project Director of Galloper Wind Farm Limited said:
“Similar to last year the export cable will be brought to site by the vessel Ndurance, which will sail from Holland, and subject to weather conditions and other factors, arrive off the coast of Sizewell around the 30th of April. The vessel will setup on anchors approximately 300 metres from the Sizewell coast and it is anticipated to remain there for up to seven days, weather dependent, whilst the final cable is installed.
He added: “We installed the first export cable last year so have been through this process once before. Local residents and beach users have been very helpful and we very much appreciate their patience whilst this final phase of planned beach activity is completed. Due to the nature of the work much of it has to be done during favourable tidal and weather conditions and this year some of that work does coincide with public holidays but we will of course do our best to minimize any disruption whilst construction activity is ongoing.
Whilst there will be visible activity, the beach will remain open outside of the designated construction areas which will be clearly signposted.
Normal working hours will be 7am to 7pm, from Monday to Saturday, for the majority of the construction process however it is expected there will be occasional 24 hour working, including the 1st of May Bank Holiday Monday.
Ahead of the works, the project team hosted a Galloper Local Liaison Committee meeting, sent newsletters and letters to local residents, and hosted public information drop-in sessions in Sizewell.
If any members of the public or local residents have any enquiries they can phone the Galloper general enquiry line Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4pm on 0845 078 2941. Enquiries can also be emailed to the team on info@galloperwindfarm.com Further information about the project can be found at the Galloper website www.galloperwindfarm.com
Construction of Galloper is being led on behalf of the project partners by innogy SE. The project represents an investment potential of around £1.5 billion and the average annual generation expected is estimated to be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of around 336,000 average UK households.