HaskoningDHV assists extension offshore wind farm UK

03 July 2015 Consultancy.uk

Consulting firm Royal HaskoningDHV has been hired by Vattenfall Wind Power to support it with the construction of the Kentish Flats Extension Offshore Wind Farm in the UK, expected to be fully operational in October 2015. The consulting firm will assist the owner in achieving 100% environmental compliance.

The Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm is an in 2005 constructed UK wind farm, located approximately 13 km off the coast of Kent in South East England. The farm that comprises 30 wind turbines capable of producing up to 3 MW of electricity each, resulting in output up to 90 MW, is owned by Vattenfall Wind Power (VWPL).

Kentish Flats Extension Offshore Wind Farm
In May 2010, VWPL was granted the opportunity to extend the Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm by the Crown Estate, which leases the seabed to wind farm developers on behalf of the UK Government. Early 2013, the extension was approved by the Secretary of State, allowing VWPL to build fifteen 3.3MW turbines, increasing the input up to 140MW.

Royal HaskoningDHV
Environmental consulting firm Royal HaskoningDHV has been assisting VWPL since 2009, providing it several services, including the initial site feasibility study, Environmental Impact Assessment*, specialist marine mammal advice, stakeholder consultation and water quality sampling. The firm has also delivered environmental compliance documentation and assisted VWPL as its Environmental Liaison Officer, Consent Advisor and Environmental Manager.

VWPL has recently extended the partnership and contracted Royal HaskoningDHV to continue into the next phase of the extension. “We are delighted to continue our relationship with VWPL throughout the Kentish Flats Extension Offshore Wind Farm project,” explains Gregory Shaw, Senior Environmental Scientist at Royal HaskoningDHV. In this next phase, the firm will assist VWPL on site in achieving 100% environmental compliance. This includes the monitoring of water quality and advising on ways to avoid/reduce potential impacts on marine mammals.

* Royal HaskoningDHV, earlier this year, also covered each of Forewind’s Environmental Impact Assessments, playing a key role in the granted consent for the development of Dogger Bank Creyke Beck in the UK, which is the world’s largest offshore wind farm development project.