RWE Renewables to Extend Four Offshore Wind Farms in the UK

RWE Renewables and its project partners have signed agreements for lease for developing four projects in the UK to extend the existing four offshore wind farms

RWE Renewables and its project partners have signed with The Crown Estate Agreements for Lease for developing four projects in the United Kingdom (UK) to extend the existing four offshore wind farms in Gwynt y Môr, Galloper, Greater Gabbard and Rampion.

The granted seabed leases comprise extension projects with a combined potential installed capacity of around 1.8 gigawatts (GW), with RWE’s pro-rata share amounting to almost 900 megawatts (MW). Furthermore, it was decided to seek to develop the remaining seabed option at the original Zone 6 of the existing Rampion project and combine this with the extension project at this wind farm.

The Gwynt y Môr extension project called Awel y Môr is located off the coast of North Wales in the Irish Sea. Its capacity may be up to 576 MW (RWE share 60 percent). The Galloper extension called Five Estuaries has a potential capacity of up to 353 MW (RWE share 25 percent) and the Greater Gabbard extension, renamed North Falls, has an agreement for up to 504 MW (RWE share 50 percent). Both projects are located in the southern North Sea. The Rampion 2 development project with a potential capacity of up to 1,200 MW (RWE share 50.01 percent) is located off the coast of Sussex in the English Channel.

All projects are in very early stages. The necessary development and consenting activities will now progress in accordance with current UK Government guidelines which will include a comprehensive stakeholder consultation and determining each project’s exact installed capacity. The consenting processes are expected to take three to five years with participation in auctions for a Contract for Difference (CFD) and construction following thereafter. The wind farms could become fully operational towards the end of the decade.

RWE will take the lead on behalf of partners for the development of the Awel y Môr and Five Estuaries offshore wind farms. RWE and SSE Renewables have formed a 50:50 joint venture company to develop the North Falls offshore wind farm together. Rampion 2 is a joint venture between RWE, a Macquarie-led consortium and Enbridge. RWE will manage the project.

“As we want to further expand our offshore wind business, I am absolutely delighted to announce that we have prepared the ground for further growth. Together with our project partners, we have secured the Agreements for Lease with The Crown Estate for the development of four offshore wind farm extension projects in the UK. Furthermore, we decided to develop the remaining seabed leases at our Rampion project site. With a combined RWE pro-rata share amounting potentially to around 1.3 gigawatts, this brings a massive boost to our project pipeline and strengthens RWE’s position as being the second biggest player in offshore wind globally,” said Sven Utermöhlen, Chief Operating Officer – Wind Offshore Global of RWE Renewables.