UK government gives green light to Rampion 2 offshore windfarm

Development of the 1.2-GW project, an extension to the nearby Rampion windfarm, is being led by RWE on behalf of joint venture partners, a Macquarie-led consortium and a subsidiary of Enbridge.

The project is eligible for submission into a future Contract for Difference auction. A key milestone will be the financial investment decision by the joint venture partners, after which construction would be able to start. The windfarm is expected to be operational by the end of the decade.

Rampion 2 is expected to consist of up to 90 wind turbines and foundations off the coast of Sussex. Subsea cables will bring the power to shore under Climping Beach. An underground cable route will take the power to a new substation at Oakendene near Cowfold, before finally connecting into the transmission network at Bolney, Mid Sussex.

RWE director of offshore wind development UK and Ireland Danielle Lane said, “We are delighted to receive the development consent order for the proposed Rampion 2. This is a key milestone in the development of the project. Rampion 2 can play an important role helping secure the UK’s energy supplies and play a key role in supporting the UK government’s clean power ambitions.”

Rampion 2 project lead Umair Patel said the project could generate around three-quarters of all the electricity demands for the whole of Sussex and help generate jobs during both construction and operation.