Why is the Suffolk coast besieged by Suffolk energy proposals?
NATIONAL GRID APPEARS COMPLICIT IN THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SUFFOLK COAST
In Suffolk and along the Suffolk coast residents are well aware of the cost of energy proposals, both in terms of the impact on the natural environment and the effects on peoples lives, homes and businesses.
National Grid provides grid connection offers to developers, inturn National Grid influences where new projects seek to build the industrial infrastructure to connect offshore wind farms and subsea interconnector cables to the grid.
National Grid and energy developers are showing a complete lack of consideration of the ‘cumulative impact’ of multiple large scale industrial developments in such a small area.
National Grid is the biggest threat to the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB since it was established over 50 years ago.
The energy projects 9+ Proposals including sizewell C
Scottish Power
1. EAST ANGLIA ONE NORTH – EA1N
An offshore wind farm consisting up to 67 turbines, generators and associated infrastructure, with an installed capacity of up to 800MW
Proposed location 36km from Lowestoft and 42km from Southwold.
From landfall the cables would be routed underground to an onshore substation complex yet to be constructed at Grove Wood to the north of Friston.
2. EAST ANGLIA TWO – EA2
An offshore wind farm consisting of up to 75 turbines, generators and associated infrastructure, with an installed capacity of up to 900MW.
Proposed location 37km from Lowestoft and 32km from Southwold.
Cable landfall on the Suffolk coast, cables routed underground to an onshore substation currently proposed at Grove Wood to the north of Friston.
Scottish Power requires 3 substations for these projects, one each for EA1N & EA2, plus a further National Grid substation.
Over 35 acres of land will be required for industrial buildings and infrastructure. Over 100 acres would also be required for sealing compounds, surface water drainage ponds, screening and planting.
SPRs EA1N & EA2 Wind Farms are registered at the Planning Inspectorate details here: EA1N & EA2
EA1N & EA2 Consultations
Public consultations – complete
Planning Inspectorate Examination – complete
DCOs were granted by BEIS secretary of state March 2022 decision letter >>
SASES contributions to EA1N & EA2 DCO Examinations can be viewed here >>
Latest News – EA1N & EA2 are currently under Judicial Review, building work on these projects is suspended until the outcome of the hearings.
National Grid Ventures
Nautilus Interconnector is a proposed 1400MW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea grid link between Great Britain and Belgium.
The project requires the construction of a large onshore ‘converter station’ in each country and the installation of offshore and onshore underground direct current cables.
In Suffolk National Grid is assessing 5 locations for a converter station near: Sternfield, Knodishall, Therberton, Saxmundham & Snape.
Nautilus is registered at the Planning Inspectorate, details here: Nautilus PINS
Nautilus Consultation
Non-statutory Consultation – 14 September to 26 October 2021
Statutory Consultation – TBC 2023/24
Nautilus Interconnector Consultation Information & Events >>
NGV
4. LIONLINK INTERCONNECTOR (FORMERLY CALLED EUROLINK)
National Grid Ventures NGV Lionlink Interconnector is a proposed 1800MW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cable link between the UK and the Netherlands.
Lionlink proposes landfall along the Suffolk Coast with a grid converter station built near Aldeburgh, Saxmundham, Knodishall or Friston.
Lionlink is registered at the Planning Inspectorate, details here: Lionlink PINS
Lionlink Consultation
Non-Statutory Consultation – 24 October to 18 December 2022
Non-Statutory Consultation – 8 September to 3 November 2023
Final Statutory Consultation – TBC 2023/24
NGET
5. SEA LINK – SUBSEA GRID CONNECTOR (FORMERLY SCD1)
National Grid Electricity Transmission NGET Sea Link is a proposed dual 2000MW HVDC subsea cable linking the Suffolk & Kents electricity grid.
The project would involve building associated onshore infrastructure at each end (converter stations) in Suffolk and Kent. National Grid plans to connect at the yet to be built Friston hub.
Sea Link is registered at the Planning Inspectorate, details here: Sea Link PINS
SeaLink Consultation
Non-statutory Consultation – 24 October to 18 December 2022
Final Statutory Consultation – 24 October to 18 December 2023
6. SCD2 – SUBSEA GRID CONNECTOR
A proposed second subsea UK grid connector to link Suffolk & Kent
The project is in the early stages, NO consultations have been carried out & it is not yet known exactly where SCD2 will propose to connect to the grid.
SSE & RWE
7. NORTH FALLS – OFFSHORE WINDFARM
(EXTENSION OF GREATER GABBARD OFFSHORE WIND FARM)
An offshore electricity generating station approximately 24.5km from its nearest point at the Port of Lowestoft.
It is estimated to have an installed capacity in excess of 100MW and will principally comprise offshore wind turbines together with associated infrastructure (onshore and offshore) including a connection to the electricity transmission network.
Cable
North Falls offshore wind farm is registered at the Planning Inspectorate, details here:
North Falls PINS
North Falls – Introductory Consultations
17 October – 9 December 2022
North Falls – Stage 2 ‘Public’ Consultations
16 May – 14 July 2023
You can register for updates and information here:
North Falls Consultations details and dates >>
RWE
8. FIVE ESTUARIES – OFFSHORE WINDFARM
(EXTENSION OF GALLOPER OFFSHORE WIND FARM)
Five Estuaries offshore wind farm proposes to generate in excess of 300MW. The project will be comprised of (but not limited to) an offshore wind farm, including wind turbine generators and associated foundations and array cables.
Proposed transmission infrastructure, including offshore substations and associated foundations, offshore and onshore export cables (underground).
Onshore substation, and connection infrastructure will be required to connect to the electricity grid, initial cable landing and connection points are along the Essex coast.
5 Estuaries offshore wind farm is registered at the Planning Inspectorate, details here:
5 Estuaries PINS.
Five Estuaries – Stage 2 ‘Public’ Consultations
14 March – 12 May 2023
Public consultation is in progress in Suffolk & Essex Five Estuaries consultations details and dates >>
EDF
9. EDF SIZEWELL C (X 2 NEW NUCLEAR REACTORS)
Sizewell C proposals are for a dual nuclear reactor providing a combined 3.2-gigawatt output.
Sizewell C reactor will be constructed within the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB protected landscape, adjacent to world renowned RSPB Minsmere nature reserve.
Sizewell C is registered at the Planning Inspectorate, details here: Sizewell C PINS
The Sizewell C DCO examination has ended, Secretary of State (Kwasi Kwarteng) granted Sizewell C, a Development Consent Order DCO.
Sizewell C project is attempting to secure funding.
Sizewell C latest: Sizewell C is subject to a Judicial Review and building work is suspended.