Consultation launched for Morecambe and Morgan offshore wind farms

The developers of the Morecambe and Morgan offshore wind projects have launched a consultation on their proposals to develop two offshore wind farms in the Irish Sea.

These wind farms are being developed by separate joint venture companies, working towards a common goal of helping the UK to achieve its net zero ambitions and, specifically, of reaching offshore wind generation goals. Morecambe Offshore Windfarm Limited (Morecambe OWL), a joint venture between Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios, S.A. and Flotation Energy Ltd, is developing the Morecambe Offshore Windfarm. Morgan Offshore Wind Limited (Morgan OWL), a joint venture between bp and Energie Baden-Wurttemberg AG (EnBW), is developing the Morgan Offshore Wind Project. The two joint venture companies are collaborating to connect the wind farms to the electricity transmission network.

Together, these two wind farms have the potential to power more than two million households with clean energy. Combined with EnBW and bp’s Mona offshore wind farm (also in the Irish Sea), the trio will help the UK to achieve its target of generating 50GW of power from offshore wind by 2030.

Renewable energy is central to supporting the UK’s ambitions to lead the world in combatting climate change, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and embracing a future where renewable energy powers our homes and businesses.

The two wind farms and their joint transmission assets will form three separate applications for development consent which will all be determined by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. At this stage, a single non-statutory consultation is being held on all three projects to help communities and other stakeholders understand how the three projects will be integrated with each other.

A spokesperson for Cobra and Flotation Energy, joint venture project partners for Morecambe Offshore Windfarm Ltd, said:

“Morecambe Offshore Windfarm will play an essential part in the UK journey to net zero.

Our commitment to care for the environment and consideration of other marine users is shown by the windfarm’s location on a previously developed seabed.

By collaborating with Morgan to deliver the first industry-led coordinated transmission infrastructure we can continue to reduce our impact on others through co-location. This will make it easier for communities to engage with us.”

A spokesperson for EnBW and bp, joint venture project partners for Morgan Offshore Wind Ltd, said:

“With the potential to power more than two million UK households, Morgan and Morecambe will play a key role in delivering secure, low carbon energy to the UK. We are absolutely committed to making sure we deliver this in a way that works for people that live and work in the areas where they are located. That’s why bp and EnBW are collaborating with Cobra and Flotation Energy to ensure that as we develop both projects, we minimise our impact whilst delivering 1.5GW of home-grown energy to UK households. Your feedback will help us develop the best possible plans and I look forward to working with the community and our partners.”

Local residents and other stakeholders are now being invited to have their say on the proposals as part of the projects’ first, non-statutory consultation. The consultation will run from 2 November – 13 December, with the development partners seeking feedback on the two wind farms and their connection to the electricity network. It is also the first opportunity for people to understand the collaboration between the two projects and the broad details of how each will be developed.

The consultation is running for six weeks, with public exhibitions taking place across the north west coastline and on the Isle of Man. Those wishing to participate in the consultation can view all consultation materials, see full details of upcoming events, and submit feedback, on the project website: www.morecambeandmorgan.com.

Further consultations on the projects will follow in 2023.

-ENDS-

Notes to editor:

The Projects received a Direction under Section 35 of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended), from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, that the Morecambe Offshore Windfarm and the Morgan Offshore Wind Project grid connection infrastructure be treated as development for which development consent is required. The Projects have now jointly made a request to the Planning Inspectorate for a Scoping Opinion for Morecambe and Morgan’s Transmission Assets.

Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios, S.A. and Flotation Energy plc are Joint Venture project partners for Morecambe Offshore Windfarm which has nominal capacity of 480 MW. Preferred bidder status for the 60 year lease was awarded by The Crown Estate as part of the Offshore Wind Leasing Round 4.

Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios, S.A. is a worldwide leader with more than 75 years of experience in the development, construction and management of industrial infrastructure and energy projects. Cobra has an international presence in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.  In recent years the company has focused on renewable energy projects, including onshore & offshore wind and solar power including a specialised floating wind farm business. Cobra has a business culture that is focused on quality and excellence stemming from its greatest asset; it’s employees.

Flotation Energy plc has a growing project pipeline of offshore wind projects more than12GW in the UK, Ireland, Taiwan, Japan and Australia and plans to expand into many more key markets. The expertise of the Flotation Energy team lies in the project and engineering management of large infrastructure projects. Flotation Energy have developed their own projects but also recognise the benefits of collaboration and working in partnership with other developers to deliver proven, cost-effective solutions.

EnBW and bp are joint venture partnersfor Morgan Offshore Wind Project, which has nominal capacity of 1.5GW. Preferred bidder status for the 60 year lease was awarded by The Crown Estate as part of the Offshore Wind Leasing Round 4.

EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG is one of the largest energy supply companies in Germany and supplies electricity, gas, water, energy solutions and energy industry services to around 5.5 million customers. We have a workforce of more than 23,000 employees. Half of the EnBW generation portfolio will be comprised of renewable energies by 2025. Further expanding renewables in Germany and selected European markets is a central element of EnBW’s growth strategy. Since the beginning of its corporate transformation in 2013, EnBW has successfully invested nearly €5 billion in its renewable energies segment. Around another €4 billion is to be invested by 2025, primarily in further expanding wind and solar energy, meaning that a good 50 per cent of EnBW’s generation portfolio will consist of renewables. EnBW was among the pioneers in offshore wind power with its Baltic 1 offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. In January 2020, the company took into operation Germany’s largest offshore wind power project, EnBW Hohe See and Albatros, with a combined capacity of 609 megawatts (MW). The He Dreiht offshore wind farm with a capacity of around 900MW is planned to connect to the grid in 2025. He Dreiht will operate without any state subsidies.

bp's purpose is to reimagine energy for people and our planet. bp has set out an ambition to be a net zero company by 2050, or sooner, and help the world get to net zero. This strategy will see bp transform from an international oil company producing resources - to an integrated energy company providing solutions to customers. bp already has a significant onshore wind business in the US with a gross generating capacity of 1.7GW, operating nine wind assets across the country as well as a 5.2GW net offshore pipeline.

Further information

Contacts

Morecambe: Kirstine Wood kirstinewood@flotationenergy.com

bp: bppress@bp.com

EnBW, Miriam Teige: m.teige@enbw.com