UK: The UK Government has approved development consent for a 1.5 GW offshore wind project in the Irish Sea. The Morgan Offshore Wind Project Generation Assets is a joint venture between JERA Nex, bp, and Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW).

The Development Consent Order was submitted in April 2024 and approved this week by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The site will be located 37 km off the north-west coast of England. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026/27, with the windfarm expected to enter operation by 2030.

Plans include up to 96 turbines and four offshore substation platforms. Local communities have been invited to review the project and assess potential impacts as it moves towards construction.

In parallel, the UK Government has announced new minimum requirements for offshore wind developers to invest in skills training and local communities. These measures form part of a broader Fair Work Charter, introduced in August, developed with input from trade unions, education providers, and businesses. The offshore wind sector is projected to employ up to 100,000 people by 2030, with 45,000 in direct roles and the remainder in supply chains.

Separately, industry movements continue in Europe and the US. Equinor has confirmed a $1 B investment in Ørsted, maintaining its 10 % stake and position as the company’s second-largest shareholder. Ørsted is preparing a rights issue to stabilise its balance sheet following new fiscal amendments in the US, which have increased tax burdens on large-scale wind and solar projects sourcing components from China.

Source: edie.net

#Equinor#Irish Sea#offshore wind#Ørsted#substations#turbines#UK government

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