Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm Project One

Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm

Project One

Consultation Report

Annexes 12-17

PINS Document Reference: 2.5

APFP Regulation 5(q), PA 2008 s37(3)( c)

July 2013

SMart Wind Limited

11th Floor

140 London Wall

London

EC2Y 5DN

Tel 0207 7765500

Email [email protected]

Copyright © 2013

All pre-existing rights reserved.

Liability

This report has been prepared by SMart Wind Ltd., with all reasonable skill, care and diligence.

Document release and authorisation record

PINS Document Reference 2.5

Date July 2013

Company name SMart Wind Limited

Contact(s) Chris Jenner

Penny Pickett

Rachael Mills

Rosemary Tingle

Liam Leahy

Sheelagh Guilmartin

Ditte Bilde

mailto:[email protected]

Table of Contents

Annex 12 Hornsea Project One Update 1




Annex 16 Media Coverage

Annex 17 PINS Regulation 24 Notice


Project One

Consultation Report

Annex 12

Hornsea Project One Update 1



July 2013

SMart Wind Limited

11th Floor

140 London Wall

London

EC2Y 5DN

Tel 0207 7765500


Copyright © 2013


Liability




Report number UK04-050307-REP-0039

Date July 2013



Penny Pickett

Rachael Mills

Rosemary Tingle

Liam Leahy

Sheelagh Guilmartin

Ditte Bilde


Hornsea Project OneProposed Offshore Wind Farm Project UpdateMarch 2011– Issue 1

SMart Wind is a 50/50 joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power (UK) Ltd and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH. The company has been established to develop the 4GW Hornsea Zone which SMart Wind was awarded through The Crown Estate Round 3 bid process.

The company is seeking planning consent for Project One, which consists of two offshore wind farm blocks and associated offshore and onshore infrastructure. Project One is located 103km off the East Riding of Yorkshire coast. The location of Project One is shown in Figure 1 and consists of Subzone 1, the cable route to shore and onshore grid connection.

As part of the UK’s commitment to moving towards a low-carbon economy, the Government has set itself the ambitious target of producing 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020. This translates into a UK goal for renewable energy electricity generation of approximately 30% by 2020.

Offshore wind power will play a key part in achieving this target. In December 2007, the Government announced the commencement of a Strategic Environmental Assessment to examine 25 gigawatts (GW) of additional UK offshore wind energy generation capacity by 2020. This follows the 8GW planned for Rounds 1 and 2 which are well underway – with several sites in operation and more in construction. The Hornsea Zone is part of the third round of offshore wind development.

This project update, published in March 2011, aims to:

• Provide an overview of the project

• Describe the new consenting process

• Provide a summary of progress so far

• Discuss future consultation plans and public involvement strategies

Project updates will now be published on a regular basis to keep the local community and interested parties informed on the progress of Project One.

Who is SMart Wind and what are we proposing in your area?

Hornsea Project One Proposed Offshore Wind Farm Project Update March 2011 – Issue 1 01

Subzone 1Hornsea ZoneInternational BoundarySite & Area of Ancillary/Associated Development

Figure 1 – Location of Project One

What are we planning to build?

Figure 2 – The Crown Estate’s Round 3 Offshore Wind Farm Zones Source: The Crown Estate 2010

1

2

3

4

5

67

8

9

Key Round 3 Wind Farm

Zone International Boundary 12nm limit

Zone Developer1. Moray Firth Moray Offshore

Renewables Linited2. Firth of Forth Seagreen Wind Energy

Limited3. Dogger Bank Forewind Limited4. Hornsea SMart Wind Limited 5. East Anglia East Anglia Offshore

Wind Limited6. Rampion E.ON Climate &

Renewable/UK Southern Array Limited

7. West Isle of Eneco Round 3 Development Limited

8. Atlantic Array Bristol Channel Zone Limited

9. Irish Sea Centrica Energy Renewable Investment Limited

Figure 3 – Windcube LiDAR installed on the Schooner gas platform

In 2009, following the Strategic Environmental Assessment, The Crown Estate selected nine offshore Zones around the UK (Figure 2) for a third round of wind farm development. SMart Wind was awarded the Hornsea Zone, also known as Zone 4 which covers a total area of 4735km2 and is shown in detail on Figure 1.

By working in partnership with The Crown Estate, local stakeholders, industry and Government, SMart Wind are planning to develop a number of offshore wind farms in the Hornsea Zone that will have a combined capacity of 4GW by 2020.

Project One will comprise two wind farm blocks, each of approximately 600 megawatt (MW) capacity, plus offshore substations, a converter station and cable routes to shore.

Onshore works will include a landfall site (with jointing pit), a cable route from the coast to an onshore converter station, and a short connection between the converter station and substation, located in Killingholme.

The two wind farm blocks will be situated within Subzone 1 located in the centre of the Hornsea Zone, covering an area of 620km2 (Figure 1). Depending on the rated capacity of the turbines, likely to be between 3.6 and 8MW machines, the estimated number of turbines is between 124 and 332. The nearest turbine will be 103km from the East Riding of Yorkshire coast.

Turbines used for Project One are likely to be a conventional 3-bladed design and will have a maximum rotor diameter of 150m, maximum hub height of 120m, and maximum rotor tip height of 200m.

In order to provide information on wind speed and direction, it is proposed to install an anemometry mast in 2011. The detailed information produced will help to calculate the most efficient layout of individual blocks of turbines within Project One. This will require a separate planning application through the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

In addition to the proposed anemometry mast, a Light Detection and Ranging device or Windcube LiDAR was successfully installed on the Schooner gas platform at the end of January (Figure 3).

The device will be fully commissioned at the end of March and provide the first accurate measurements of wind speed at the height of a wind turbine hub.

Works to identify the turbine and foundation types, the installation methodologies and layout design is ongoing and are reliant on more offshore surveys and detailed modelling to better understand the seabed conditions specific to each turbine location.

Stakeholders will be consulted throughout the project design phase in order to ensure that all realistic alternatives are considered and any appropriate mitigation measures can be put in place at an early stage of the project development.

Hornsea Project One Proposed Offshore Wind Farm Project Update March 2011 – Issue 1 03smartwind.co.uk 02

White

Round 3

Cables will be buried from a coastal landfall site (with jointing pit) to the converter station. Various routes and landing points both north and south of the Humber are currently being considered. As shown in Figure 5, we are considering three onshore cable corridor route options for transmitting power to the converter station and substation at Killingholme.

In order to select a preferred cable route, consideration will be given to feedback from the consultation events in addition to ongoing onshore environmental and engineering studies, and offshore cable route considerations. The onshore converter station will be constructed as close as possible to the existing substation.

The location and design are not finalised but the area of land required is estimated to be in the order of 200m length x 150m width and up to 35m height.

Figure 6 shows an indicative building form that could be used for the onshore converter station.

At this stage in the development process, SMart Wind cannot discount the possibility of future generation capacity of other projects within the Hornsea Zone being connected at Killingholme.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the three onshore proposed cable route corridor options or the converter station please let us know using the contact details at the end of the project update.

In order to transfer the electricity generated by the wind turbines into the National Grid transmission system, SMart Wind has secured a 1GW grid connection agreement at Killingholme for Project One. Killingholme substation is an existing 400 kilovolt (kV) National Grid substation located on the south bank of the Humber Estuary.

SMart Wind is proposing to transmit power from the offshore turbines to shore via High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cables. HVDC systems have been successfully installed for over 40 years and have a number of benefits including reduced transmission losses (Figure 4). They are the most economical and efficient method for the bulk transfer of power over the long distances required by Project One. Each wind farm ‘Block’ will also contain a series of inter-array cables between the turbines and an offshore collector substation.

Converter stations will also be required at both ends of the transmission circuit. An offshore station is required to convert the High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) generated from the turbines to HVDC for transmission to shore. The onshore converter station then converts power back to HVAC for connection into the National Grid transmission system.

The onshore converter station will be linked by either overhead lines or buried cables to National Grid’s substation. The use of overhead lines or buried cables will be dependent on location of the converter station, feedback from public consultation and environmental and engineering constraints. It is currently proposed that all other offshore and onshore cables will be installed below the surface.

Figure 4 – HVDC connection arrangement Source: SKM Enviros


What kind of grid connection will we need? Onshore infrastructure

Figure 6 – Visual representation of an indicative converter station. Source: RPS Group Plc.

Figure 5 – Onshore cable route corridor options

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Existing National GridSubstation

OnshoreConverterStation

Landfall

OffshoreConverterStation

OffshoreCollectorStation

North Sea

30m

HVAC Cable

HVDC SubseaCable

HVAC SubseaCable

33k ACSubseaCable

HVDC Cable

Offshore infrastructure is currently planned to include turbines and inter-array cabling, offshore collector substations, an offshore High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter substation and export cables to shore. Depending on the rated capacity of the turbines, likely to be between 3.6 and 8MW machines, the estimated number of turbines is between 124 and 332.

The HVDC converter substation along with up to four marine export cables connecting to a landfall point will form an Offshore Transmission Operator (OFTO) asset. It is envisaged that all submarine cables will be installed below the seabed to a depth appropriate to the ground conditions.

SMart Wind is currently in the process of selecting the optimal offshore export cable route corridor, based on various engineering and environmental desk studies including nature conservation, navigational features, oil & gas subsea & surface infrastructure, aggregate dredging, marine archaeology and seabed conditions. Onshore considerations will also be taken into account.

Feedback from consultation with the local community, key statutory stakeholders and commercial fisheries will form an essential part of the offshore cable route selection. Initially, five potential routes were identified, three routes north of the Humber estuary and two routes to the south.

These options have now been narrowed down to the three corridor options shown in Figure 7. If you have any questions or comments regarding the proposed offshore cable route corridors please let us know using the contact details at the end of the project update.

There are several Round 2 offshore wind farms planned or under construction off the East coast of England (Figure 8). Westermost Rough owned by DONG Energy and the recently consented Humber Gateway owned by E.ON are both located less than 10km from the Holderness Coast and approximately 95km west of Project One.

Westermost Rough submitted a planning application in 2009 and is awaiting a final decision from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). Triton Knoll, Race Bank, Dudgeon and Docking Shoal offshore wind farms are also located in the ‘The Greater Wash’ area (Figure 8) are still in development.

Lincs and Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farms have been successfully consented and are now under construction.

The Round 3 Dogger Bank Zone (Figure 2) being developed by the Forewind consortium, is located 70km north of Project One. The East Anglia Zone (Figure 2) awarded to Scottish Power Renewables and Vattenfall AB, is located 44km south of Project One.

The Hornsea, Dogger Bank and East Anglia developers are collaborating on studies to assess the potential cumulative impacts of the east coast Round 3 offshore wind farm developments.

Figure 8 – Location of Hornsea Zone in relation to other Round 1, 2 and 3 zones.Source: EMU Limited

Offshore infrastructure What other developments are planned for the area?

Figure 7 – Offshore cable route corridor options


SMart Wind has joined forces with STEMNET and Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA)to launch ‘SMart Futures’. The four-year initiative is aimed at engaging up to 56 local schools, in and around the Humber Area, in a fun and educational programme to name each of the offshore wind farms.

The initiative is aimed at Year 8 and 9 Pupils (13-14 year-olds) to encourage them to consider Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) subjects and inform their career choices toward renewables and offshore wind. The programme consists of three phases, including an awareness-raising presentation to pupils and teachers in order to highlight the global Climate Change challenge (Figure 9).

Technical workshops were hosted, where students built a small wind system to learn about extracting energy from the wind and held a creative naming competition to name the first and second Hornsea Offshore wind farm blocks.

From the sixteen schools engaged in the first year, the five finalists to reach the creative naming competition were South Axholme Science & Arts School, Beverley High School, Hessle High School, Malet Lambert Specialist Language College and Hornsea School & Language College. The overall winner was South Axholme School, resulting in the first wind farm block being named “Heron Ventus”. The runners-up were Hessle High School, with their name of “Njord” being assigned to the second wind farm block. These two schools receive a trophy each and all pupils receive a CREST Award for their effort.

The Scoping Report for the offshore and onshore elements of Project One was submitted to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) and published on the project website in November 2010.

The IPC collated all responses from the statutory and non-statutory stakeholders into a formal Scoping Opinion which outlined aspects which should be assessed during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stage. This was received on December 24th 2010 and is also available on the IPC website.

In addition, SMart Wind published a Zone Characterisation (ZoC) document in January 2011 that provides a broad description of the physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural heritage characteristics of the Zone and a Zone Assessment Methodology (ZAM) document which describes the proposed methods to be used in assessing impacts across the Zone.

Both of these documents, as well as the Scoping Report, are available on the SMart Wind website.

SMart Wind is conducting a comprehensive consultation exercise that will continue throughout the whole project.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the project, comment on the information including the Scoping Report, or raise specific concerns are welcome to get in touch. Contact details for the project are provided at the end of this project update.

During 2010 and 2011, various offshore surveys and desk based studies have been carried out to better understand the existing biological, physical and human conditions across both the Hornsea Zone and also Project One. These studies will further inform the baseline description of the EIA. Further details of the data gathered so far and plans for future work are described later in this project update.

What have SMart Wind done so far?

Figure 9 – SMart Futures schools’ Technical Workshop


SMart Futures

The Consenting process explained

The Planning Act 2008 has made significant changes to the planning system applicable to offshore wind farm development.

Project One will be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project because the development has a generating capacity of greater than 100MW. Therefore SMart Wind will apply for permission in the form of a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC).

The IPC was created in 2009 to make the process for deciding Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project consents more streamlined. Current Government proposals indicate the IPC will be replaced by the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit (MIPU) in spring 2012.

Although this will change the body responsible for administering DCO applications, it is unlikely to impact on the grounds for making application decisions.

Decisions on DCO applications will be taken in accordance with National Policy Statements (NPSs) which set out planning policy in relation to energy infrastructure, including offshore wind. NPSs are currently at a final draft stage following public consultations. The final decision to grant consent for Project One will be made by the Secretary of State with regard to recommendations by the IPC/MIPU.

In addition to a DCO, other consents may be required, including a Marine Licence (which will replace the current requirement for separate Food and Environment Protection Act and Coast Protection Act licences). The Marine Management Organisation will be responsible for issuing Marine Licences but the IPC/MIPU has special powers to include a Marine Licence within a DCO. This avoids the need for developers to apply separately for multiple consents. If a Marine Licence is included in a DCO, the Marine Management Organisation will be a statutory consultee of the IPC/MIPU and give advice and input to the consenting process. In the same way as NPSs inform decisions on DCO, Marine Licences will be decided in accordance with a Marine Policy Statement which is currently being finalised by the Government.

SMart Wind will produce an Environmental Statement for all offshore and onshore works associated with Project One – this will form one part of the documentation required to support an application for a DCO and set out how SMart Wind will minimise Project One’s impact on the environment. SMart Wind will also provide an overview of how pre-application consultation has been carried out throughout the pre-application period and how comments from stakeholders have been addressed.

7. Ongoing ConsultationSubmit Environmental Statement, Consultation Report and draft Development Consent Order

Develop a commitments register and include commitments made during consultation

Incorporate recommendations from the Environmental Statement within an Environmental Management Plan

Ongoing consultation post ES approval as required

6. Statutory ConsultationIssue draft Environmental Statement – Distribute to consultees

Issue draft Consultation Report – Distribute to consultees

Statutory public consultation period of 28 days

Work through issues raised during public consultation with statutory consultees

5. Provide feedbackMeetings and presentations before first draft of Environmental Statement to feedback on consultation and EIA process

8. Examination and decision by the IPC

2. Identify Interested Groups and StakeholdersRecord stakeholder and interest group contact details and provide a record of communication

3. Seek input and commentScoping Report – Distribute to consultees and provide a method of feedback

Statement of Community consultation (SoCC) – distribute to Local Authorities and publish in local press

4. Continue to communicateInvite stakeholders to meetings, presentations and consultation events

Invite interest groups and local community to consultation events

Provide updates to consultees through website updates and emails.

1. Notify IPC


The first step is to achieve planning consent for Project One through three extensive phases of stakeholder consultation.

The onshore and offshore Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Statement are due to be completed by the summer of 2012. SMart Wind aims to submit its DCO application for Project One in July 2012. Subject to approval, construction on Project One is likely to commence in 2014, with final commissioning and energisation of the offshore wind farms proposed for 2016.

Prior to, and during the Scoping Phase, specialist studies (including benthic, geophysical, marine mammals, birds, navigation and metocean surveys) were undertaken to better inform the understanding of the environmental and physical constraints of the Project One site.

Bird and marine mammal studies commenced in March 2010 and will continue for two years.

The benthic, geophysical, navigation and metocean surveys commenced in 2010 and additional studies such as underwater noise and socio-economic assessments are planned to be carried out during both the baseline and the assessment phases of the EIA process.

In addition, surveys and studies required to inform the onshore components of Project One (such as habitat and protected species surveys) will be carried out in 2011.

When will the project be built? What Information did we gather in 2010?

Proposed project timeline

Project One Timeline 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Scoping

Phase 1 Consultation EventsPhase 2 Consultation EventsPhase 3 Consultation EventsEnvironmental Impact AssessmentDraft of Environmental Statement and DCOSubmission of DCODecision by IPC

Pre-construction

Construction

Commissioning


The physical environment

SMart Wind has commissioned studies to assess the offshore wind resource, sea state and weather conditions, as well as the geology of the seabed.

SMart Wind is proposing to install a meteorological mast in Subzone 1 during 2011, which will provide site-specific data on meteorological conditions such as wind speed and direction. This will require a separate planning application through the Marine Management Organisation.

A high resolution geophysical survey of the ground conditions of Project One was carried out from April to December 2010, to gain a better understanding of the surface features of the seabed and subsurface geology (Figure 11). A geotechnical survey, including preliminary borehole sampling to investigate the subsurface geology and its engineering constraints, was carried out in September 2010. Further geophysical surveys of the cable route study area are planned for 2011.

A comprehensive geotechnical survey is proposed to be carried out across the site in summer 2011. By registering on www.smartwind.co.uk, visitors can now access real time data for meteorology (wind speed, mean wind direction, air temperature & air pressure) and waves (wave height, wave period & wave direction) from the seven locations within the

Hornsea Round 3 Zone.This data is being made available to interested parties free of charge as part of a twelve month measurement programme divided into two sets of observations. In June 2010, oceanographic moorings and met buoys (Figure 12) were deployed at three locations, with planned installation period of twelve months. In October 2010, these were augmented with oceanographic and meteorological buoys at a further three sites, plus a wave buoy. These three oceanographic/meteorological buoy moorings will be deployed for six months over the winter period, while the wave buoy will be deployed for a full year.

smartwind.co.uk 14

Figure 10 – Geophysical survey vessel

Figure 11 – Example side scan sonar image from geophysical survey

Figure 12 – Metocean buoy

Understanding the biological environment of the Project One site is important in order to assess the potential effects the development may have on its surrounding environment.

Birds and marine mammals

Monthly boat based bird and marine mammal surveys across both the Hornsea Zone and the Project One study area began in March 2010 and surveys will continue for two years. The Southern Star survey vessel has completed 6km transect survey lines of the Hornsea Zone and 2km transects in Subzone 1, using visual observation for birds and marine mammals.

In addition, an acoustic hydrophone is towed during daylight hours to detect any marine mammals in the vicinity of the vessel. Data has been analysed up to and including November 2010.

Approximately 30 species of seabird were identified in the Hornsea study area between March and November 2010, with approximatey 29 species recorded in the Hornsea Zone and 28 species in Subzone 1 over the nine months period (Figure 13). The most common species were kittiwake, guillemot and fulmar, with razorbill and gannet (Figure 14) also occurring in high numbers. Analysis of the bird data will provide estimates of the numbers of birds in Subzone 1 and surrounding waters throughout the year. It will also tell us how the birds are using the area (e.g. for migration, feeding or breeding) and their distribution.

Most importantly it will allow us to estimate collision risk to birds and any potential effects due to habitat loss and displacement or ‘barrier effects’ created by the presence of the wind turbines.

Six species of marine mammals were positively identified during surveys in the Hornsea study area between March and November 2010. Harbour porpoise was the most frequently recorded species followed by minke whale, white-beaked dolphin and grey seal (Figure 15). Harbour porpoise abundance in the Hornsea study area was low between March and May 2010, but increased in June.

Statistical analyses will be conducted on the data collected from site and used to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment.

The offshore biological environment

Figure 13 – Surveyors on boat

Figure 14 – Gannet Source: Mike Bailey – Emu Ltd.

Figure 15 – Grey seal Source: Mike Bailey – Emu Ltd.


smartwind.co.uk 16

Benthic studies were carried out between April and December 2010 to identify the existing species and habitat distribution. Surveys were carried out over the Hornsea Zone and more intensively within Subzone 1 (Figure 16). Grab samples to collect seabed sediment and species living within the sediment were undertaken from the MV Shannon survey vessel.

Seabed digital photography and video was also used to collect data on habitats and associated species living on the sea bed (Figures 17 – 18). Scientific beam trawling for information on species such as fish, crabs, shrimps and prawns was also carried out (Figure 19). A report on the results of the benthic surveys will be completed by the end of March to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment.

What about creatures on the seabed?

Figure 16 – Benthic survey sampling locations. Source: EMU Limited

Figure 17 – Seabed sediment showing small sand waves. Source: EMU Limited

Figure 18 – Gravelly sediment with benthic organisms including star fish and flat fish. Source: EMU Limited

SMart Wind is currently carrying out a desk study of fish and shellfish ecology and commercial fishing practices in the area.

Offshore surveys will begin in spring 2011. These are likely to include trawling surveys, potting surveys and intertidal fish surveys. Survey methodology and sampling frequency is being drafted with input from local fisheries organisations and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).

The potential impact on migratory fish species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), sea trout (Salmo trutta), The European eel (Anguilla anguilla), Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and River lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) will also be assessed within the Environmental Impact Assessment, including effects on migration. Data collected during biannual fisheries surveys, desk based literature searches and catch and fish pass data from nearby estuaries and tributaries, will be used to inform the assessment.

Fish ecology studies


Figure 19 – Example of marine samples obtained from a benthic trawl (includes crabs, fish, star fish). Source: EMU Limited

Consultation with local communities, businesses, and organisations is a vital part of the planning process and all feedback from local consultation and statutory consultees will help to inform the design of the project. So being involved can influence the final design of Project One. Consultation will be managed in three phases:

Phase 1

A series of consultation events in March and April 2011 will consult on the overall project and the broad onshore and offshore cable route study areas. The information and feedback provided through these events will help to define the preferred cable route options north and south of the Humber and the design of the rest of the project.

Phase 2

Following analysis of the feedback from Phase 1, a preferred onshore cable route will be selected which will trigger a targeted Phase 2 consultation with those near the chosen cable route corridor and other associated onshore development. Phase 2 will consist of questionnaires and information leaflets distributed by post to the parties with postcodes within 400m of the preferred onshore cable route corridor, landing point, and converter station. Offshore stakeholders will also be consulted during this phase.

The preferred onshore cable route will be strongly influenced by the feedback we receive from our Phase 1 consultation events.

The options will be narrowed further by a series of onshore Environmental Impact

Assessments and consideration of engineering constraints to produce a robust alternatives study, which will justify a final selection.

A smaller number of Phase 2 consultation events will be held at those venues used in Phase 1, in closest proximity to the preferred onshore cable route corridor and other associated onshore development. Confirmation of the venues and dates for the Phase 2 consultation events will be published closer to the time and we anticipate that these will be in summer 2011.

Phase 3

Phase 3 will be the final consultation on the whole of Project One prior to finalising and submitting our application for development consent. Our draft Environmental Statement will be made available at that time. Phase 3 will consist of a number of consultation events along the chosen onshore cable route and other associated onshore development.

Confirmation of the venues and dates for Phase 3 consultation events will be publicised when known but we anticipate that this will be early 2012.

An Explanatory Note which details how the consultation programme and the geographical extent of our consultation has been defined and is also available on the SMart Wind website: www.smartwind.co.uk

How are we making our final decisions?

Figure 20 – Mainstream Consultation Event

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The human environment encompasses the recreational and commercial use and the visual amenity of the site. Offshore surveys and desk based studies have been complemented by extensive consultation with all existing users of the Project One study area.

These studies and consultations will help to determine key issues such as shipping and navigation routes and the level of fishing activity and methods used within and around the Hornsea site. Visual amenity and the recreational use of the study site are also being investigated.

Preliminary findings from Automatic Information System (AIS) shipping data shows how the Hornsea Zone and Subzone 1 are currently being used. Preliminary data shows that there are several routes regularly used by vessels to the west of the Zone, with the majority of vessels headed to UK ports in the north-east.

Shipping surveys will continue for two years to ensure accurate characterisation of the Zone. AIS equipment is installed on two of our survey vessels with radar data also being collected for fishing and recreational vessels.

Consultation has commenced with local fishermen and their representatives along the east coast of Yorkshire and will continue throughout the Environmental Impact Assessment and consenting process. SMart Wind is working with local fishermen to ensure that disruption to local fishing activity is minimised.

Oil and gas is also a major consideration within the Hornsea Zone, with 17 offshore platforms and associated maintenance vessel and helicopter movements located in the Zone. SMart Wind will be consulting with oil and gas operators to ensure both parties are aware of project progress and and opportunities for cooperation.

The archaeology and cultural heritage of the Zone and Subzone is also being investigated, with the offshore archaeology divided into two main disciplines: maritime archaeology on the seabed, which includes shipwrecks (Figure 21) and aircraft losses; and submerged prehistoric archaeology, which considers the potential inhabitation of humans on land which is now submerged.

The human environment

Figure 21 – Image from the geophysical survey showing a ship wreck within the Hornsea Zone. Source: EMU Limited


On the 20th January 2011 Siemens and Associated British Ports (ABP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development and construction of a new Siemens offshore wind turbine manufacturing and export facility at the Green Port Hull development at Alexandra Dock.

The development would place Hull at the centre of UK’s wind turbine production and could create thousands of new skilled and well paid jobs in the region. The Siemens announcement has been met with overwhelming support across the Humber region and SMart Wind also fully backs the development.

It is important to note the SMart Wind partnership between Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH, is not linked with the proposed manufacturing facility. The development is in association with a separate arm of the Siemens global engineering and technology services company, However the construction of the Siemens manufacturing facility is dependent on Round 3 offshore wind farm projects such as the Hornsea Zone gaining consent to construct and operate offshore wind farms.

SMart Wind are working with the supply chain, local Government, schools and education groups to ensure that the local community and businesses are prepared for the future opportunities and investment in areas of predicted skill shortages.

There are a number of Phase 1 consultation events happening in and around the region over March and April 2011. These events provide an opportunity to learn more about Hornsea Project One and have the opportunity to contribute their views on the alternative offshore and onshore cable route options presented at the consultation events.

Feel free to ask questions of the staff at the event, provide feedback through filling in one of the questionnaires, or submit your own questions and comments through the forms provided.

We recognise that not everyone will have the opportunity to attend the Phase 1 or 2 consultation events however your feedback is important to us and you can send your comments to SMart Wind through the contact options identified overleaf.

However, throughout the Phase 1 and Phase 2 consultation periods stakeholders can send SMart Wind comments or questions through the contact options identified overleaf.

Please note that we must receive your comments in response to Phase 1 consultation by 30th April 2011 to ensure that they are taken into consideration.

Comments received by SMart Wind will be recorded for the purposes of preparing our Consultation Report and may be made public.

How does the development of the Hornsea Zone benefit me and my local community?

What happens next?

Venue Date Opening hours

North Cotes Village Hall 15 March 2pm – 8pm Lock Road, North Cotes DN36 5UP

Immingham Civic Centre - Lyndsey Suite 16 March 2pm – 8pm Pelham Road, Immingham. DN40 1QF

Laceby Community Centre 17 March 2pm – 8pm High Street. DN37 7AA

North Killingholme Village Hall 22 March 2pm – 8pm Village Green, North Killingholme. DN40 3LX

Holton le Clay Church Hall 23 March 2pm – 8pm Church Lane, Holten le Clay. DN36 5AL

Albrough Youth Club 24 March 2pm – 8pm Hornsea Road, Aldbrough

Patrington Village Hall 30 March 2pm – 8pm Church Lane, Patrington. HU12 0RJ

Burton Pidsea Memorial Hall 31 March 2pm – 8pm Back Lane, Burton Pidsea. HU12 9AN

Keyingham Village Hall 5 April 2pm – 8pm Station Road, Keyingham. HU12 9SX

Withernsea Pavillion Leisure Centre 6 April 2pm – 2pm Queen Street, Withernsea. HU12 2QA

Hedon Methadist Church 15 April 2pm – 8pm Church Lane, Hedon. HU12 8EL

smartwind.co.uk 20 Hornsea Project One Proposed Offshore Wind Farm Project Update March 2011 – Issue 1 21

Figure 22 – ABP provisional concept design of the port facilities.

Phase 1 Consultation Events

SMart Wind Limited 11th Floor, 140 London Wall, London

EC2Y 5DN

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 5500 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.smartwind.co.uk

By registering on our website, you can select to receive

project updates by email or by post if requested.


Project One

Consultation Report

Annex 13




July 2013

SMart Wind Limited

11th Floor

140 London Wall

London

EC2Y 5DN

Tel 0207 7765500


Copyright © 2013


Liability





Date July 2013



Penny Pickett

Rachael Mills

Rosemary Tingle

Liam Leahy

Sheelagh Guilmartin

Ditte Bilde


Hornsea Project OneProposed Offshore Wind Farm Project UpdateNovember 2011– Issue 2

Hull

Killingholme

SMart Wind are a 50/50 joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power (UK) Ltd and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH. The company has been established to develop at least 4 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power in the Hornsea Zone which SMart Wind was awarded through The Crown Estate Round 3 bid process.

The company is seeking development consent for Project One, located approximately 103km off the East Riding of Yorkshire coast. The location of Project One is shown in Figure 1 and consists of two offshore wind turbine arrays named Heron Wind and Njord, offshore collector stations, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter stations and a cable route to shore. A new onshore HVDC converter station will be built in close proximity to the existing National Grid substation located at North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire.

As part of the UK’s commitment to moving towards a low carbon economy, the Government has set itself the ambitious target of producing 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020. This translates into a UK goal for renewable energy electricity generation of approximately 30% by 2020.

The Hornsea Zone (Figure 1) is one of nine offshore Zones around the UK and is part of a third round of offshore wind development with a total capacity of 33GW, launched in summer 2008 and selected by The Crown Estate. This follows the 8GW planned for Rounds 1 and 2 which are well underway, with several sites in operation and more in construction.

This project update, published in November 2011, aims to:

• Summarise progress since the last update in March 2011

• Present details of the onshore and offshore cable route and offshore infrastructure

• Consult on potential onshore converter station locations

• Describe the consenting process

• Outline future consultation phases

Project updates will continue to be published to keep the local community and interested parties informed on the progress of Project One.

Who are SMart Wind and what are we proposing in your area?

Hornsea Project One Proposed Offshore Wind Farm Project Update November 2011 – Issue 2 01


Front cover: Installation of the Hornsea Zone Met Mast with the MV Southern Star undertaking environmental monitoring prior to piling operations (September 2011).

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011. © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence no. 10001998.

Project OneHornsea Zone International BoundarySite & Consultation area for Ancillary/Associated Development

Offshore collector substations and converter stations will be located within and near to the southern boundary of the wind turbine arrays. The function of the collector substation is to step-up the Medium Voltage Alternating Current generated by the wind turbines to High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC), the function of the converter station is to convert the HVAC power to HVDC, suitable for bulk power transfer to shore, via submarine export cables.

The landfall point, located in the vicinity of Horseshoe Point is where the submarine cables transition to a type of cable designed for onshore use. The onshore HVDC cable route terminates at an onshore converter station, located close to National Grid’s Killingholme substation. The function of the onshore converter station is to convert the HVDC power back to HVAC power, compatible with National Grid’s transmission system.

As available technology evolves and survey data is analysed, a more detailed understanding of the project development parameters is being formed. The maximum extent envelope for the key parameters being considered for the Environmental Impact Assessment has been captured in a revised ‘Section 42’ Consultation Document which will be available at our Phase 2 Events and for download at www.smartwind.co.uk.

This has also been issued to all statutory stakeholders for their review and comment in order to seek views on any iterations to the project design since the Scoping Report was submitted in November 2010.

Stakeholders will continually be consulted throughout the pre-application phase in order to ensure that all realistic alternatives are considered and any appropriate mitigation measures can be put in place at an early stage of the project development.

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What are we planning to build and how will it be connected to the National Grid?

The Hornsea Zone covers a total area of 4735km2 and is shown in Figure 1. SMart Wind is planning to develop a number of offshore wind farms within the zone that will have a combined capacity of around 4GW by 2020. This is being achieved by working in partnership with The Crown Estate, local onshore and offshore stakeholders, industry, regulators and the Government.

Project One, the first development in the zone, will comprise the Heron Wind and Njord arrays, named in our SMart Futures Schools competition, with a combined capacity of up to 1.2GW which will be built in multiple phases.

The offshore wind turbines for Heron Wind and Njord will be located around the centre of the Hornsea Zone, covering an area of approximately 620km2 (Figure 1). Depending on the rated capacity of the turbines, likely to be between 3.6 and 8 MW machines, the estimated number of turbines will be between 150 and 332. The nearest turbine will be at least 103km from the East Riding of Yorkshire coast.

Project One will connect to the existing 400kV National Grid Killingholme substation located in the Humber region.

In order to meet increased capacity requirements, National Grid submitted a planning application to North Lincolnshire Council on the 22nd September 2011 to upgrade and extend the existing substation, within their current land ownership.

Because Project One is located over 140km from the grid connection point at Killingholme, SMart Wind is proposing to transmit the electricity generated via buried, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables. HVDC systems are an economical and efficient method for the bulk transfer of power over long distances.

Figure 2 – Schematic grid connection arrangement.

NationalGridSubstation

OnshoreConverterStation

Landfall

HVAC Cable

HVDC Cable

HVAC Cable

OffshoreCollectorStation

North Sea

30m

33k ACSubseaCable

OffshoreConverterStation

HVDC SubseaCable

HVAC SubseaCable


Figure 3 – The Crown Estate’s Round 3 Offshore Wind Farm Zones. Source: The Crown Estate 2010.

1

2

3

4

5

67

8

9

Key Round 3 Wind Farm Zone International Boundary 12 nautical mile limit

Zone Developer1. Moray Firth Moray Offshore Renewables Linited2. Firth of Forth Seagreen Wind Energy Limited3. Dogger Bank Forewind Limited4. Hornsea SMart Wind Limited 5. East Anglia East Anglia Offshore Wind Limited6. Rampion E.ON Climate & Renewable/UK Southern Array Limited7. Navitus Bay E neco Round 3 Wind Park Development Limited8. Atlantic Array Bristol Channel Zone Limited9. Irish Sea Centrica Energy

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Round 3

Since our last project update the offshore wind energy industry has been in the headlines, in both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Green Port Hull Development

On the 20th January 2011 Siemens and Associated British Ports (ABP) signed an agreement to work together to develop plans to construct a new Siemens offshore wind turbine manufacturing and export facility at ABP’s proposed Green Port Hull development at Alexandra Dock, Port of Hull (Figure 4). Siemens intends to produce its new direct-drive offshore wind turbine with a capacity of 6MW at the new facility and in so doing places the Humber at the centre of the UK’s wind turbine supply chain, potentially creating many of new jobs in the region. It is important to note that the SMart Wind partnership between Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH is not linked with the proposed manufacturing facility.

ABLE Port Development

Able UK is now at an advanced stage of developing its proposed Marine Energy Park on the South Humber Bank (Figure 5). The proposed Marine Energy Park comprises some 327ha for the manufacturing, commissioning and installation of offshore wind turbines, and includes a deep water frontage specifically designed for managing the logistics associated with the offshore renewable sector.

It is envisaged that in the future, as other sustainable energy technologies are developed, such as wave technology for example, the Marine Energy Park could be well placed to provide the infrastructure required to deliver these types of projects. Both of these proposed developments have been met with overwhelming support across the wider Humber region and are supported by SMart Wind. Supply chain growth and job creation are however dependent on Round 3 offshore wind farm projects such as the Hornsea Zone gaining consent and being built. In addition, 350 jobs will be created by Siemens in Manchester through the development of an HVDC emulation facility.

SMart Wind has recently joined the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce which is uniting North and South bank aspirations behind a single Local Enterprise Partnership. This has resulted in the area receiving Enterprise Zone status over two and half times larger than any other in the country. Achieving this status will drive business creation and growth in the offshore renewable energy sector, chemicals industry and the business of ports development and logistics, through preferential business rates and relocation incentives.

Growth for the Region


Figure 4 - Proposed ABP port Development.

Figure 5 - Proposed ABLE port Development.

Earlier this year, in collaboration with Humber Engineering Training Association (HETA), a leading Apprenticeship Training company based in Hull, the first two wind farms within the Hornsea Zone were named “Heron Wind” and “Njord” by Year 9 pupils from South Axholme School and Hessle High School respectively as part of SMart Wind’s four-year SMart Futures initiative.

During SMart Futures’ first year, over 2,000 pupils from sixteen local schools around the Humber area participated in a series of technical, creative and awareness raising workshops where performance was judged in terms of the effort, enthusiasm and commitment of the pupils and staff alike towards addressing the challenge of global climate change. Year 2 of SMart Futures is well underway with local schools being encouraged this time to think about the complex nature of the logistics challenges surrounding the installation of wind farms far out at sea.

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The Offshore Cable Route

Figure 6 – Year 9 pupils from South Axholme School and Hessle High School.

Figure 7 – SMart Futures Technical workshop.

SMart Futures

Following the results of the geophysical, geotechnical and environmental surveys of potential offshore cable routes, feedback from stakeholders and an environmental constraints study, the offshore HVDC cable route has now been refined to the route shown in Figure 8.

Some of the key considerations for finalising the alignment of the offshore cable route included:

• Minimising the distance between the wind turbine arrays and the onshore connection point

• Minimising the number of pipeline and cable crossings, and impact on other users of the sea

• Minimising the impact on sensitive seabed habitats

• Identifying suitable seabed conditions for burying cables

Figure 8 – Offshore cable route and wind farm area.

Since the last project update, significant progress has been made with regard to the onshore cable route.

At the Phase 1 consultation we were considering three broad onshore cable route corridors both north and south of the Humber. Through a robust risk assessment process, we have now selected our onshore cable route (Figure 9) with a landfall point in the vicinity of Horseshoe Point within the East Lindsey District.

In order to select a cable route, the following factors were taken into consideration for the search areas:

• Feedback from Phase 1 Consultation Events

• ‘Section 42’ responses from statutory consultees

• Landfall logistics and access requirements

• Environmental, planning policy and engineering constraints

• Landowner issues

• Onshore logistics

• Delivery programme

Our application for development consent.

Building on the feedback secured through the Phase 1 consultation events which took place earlier in 2011 and further environmental and engineering studies, SMart Wind are now at an advanced stage of securing land options for the onshore and offshore cable routes and potential converter station locations.

The onshore grid connection for the Hornsea Zone’s 2nd GW will also connect into National Grid’s existing Killingholme substation. The availability of the 2nd GW grid connection agreement has enabled SMart Wind to forward plan in the negotiation of land agreements for cable routes and potential converter station locations.

As stated in our Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) issued in February 2011, local residents, businesses, community groups and organisations with postcodes within 400m of the onshore cable route corridor and within 1.5km of the candidate converter station sites will be invited to attend a Phase 2 Consultation Event in November 2011. Landowners likely to be affected by the preferred cable route corridor and offshore stakeholders will also be consulted.

SMart Wind is committed to minimising the impact on the environment and is therefore proposing that all cables from the landfall site at Horseshoe Point to the onshore Converter Station will be buried.

The Onshore Cable Route

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SMart Wind continues to conduct various environmental surveys along the chosen route, as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment. Depending on the results of those surveys there may be some minor alterations to the route alignment prior to Phase 3 consultation in 2012.

“The quantity and quality of feedback offered by local communities during Phase 1 of our consultation process was very positive and once again, SMart Wind is committed to offering the widest possible opportunity for input to the next part of the project design”.

Chris Jenner, SMart Wind Consents Manager

Figure 9 – Proposed cable route and possible converter station locations.


The landfall What will the cable laying process involve?

The HVDC cable circuit for Project One will consist of up to two cable pairs (four cables in total). The onshore cables will be installed in open cut trenches (Figure 10) which will require a temporary access track to be constructed along the length of the route. The temporary access track will reduce excessive construction traffic movements on the local road network.

Cable will be delivered on large steel drums as shown in figure 11 and each cable length will be jointed to the next at a jointing pit. The jointing pits will contain a concrete chamber and base to support the cable joints. The location of the pits will be determined by the length of the cable coils being used, but are at approximately 750m to 1km intervals. Cable jointing requires clean and controlled conditions, to splice the cable ends together and work is generally undertaken within a small container placed over the jointing pit. Jointing pits will be located as close as possible to existing roadways avoiding locations in the middle of agricultural land. Temporary construction compounds will be installed along the route.

When the cable has been installed, the trench will be backfilled and the land will be restored. Special precautions will be taken to ensure that topsoil and subsoil are reinstated and all arable land can continue to be farmed as normal.

At certain sensitive locations such as water crossings and major roads the cable may be installed by Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) to reduce the environmental impact.

The offshore cables will require wider separation, typically between 50m and 150m apart depending on the configuration of the circuits. Dependent on seabed conditions, it is proposed to bury the offshore cables by using standard methods, such as ploughing or jetting techniques. Standard methods of offshore cable protection may also be used at various points along the offshore cable route. For example at oil and gas pipeline crossings and in areas where ground conditions are unsuitable to bury cables at a sufficient depth to protect them from damage.

Hornsea Project One Proposed Offshore Wind Farm Project Update November 2011 – Issue 2 11smartwind.co.uk 10

The export cable will make the transition from offshore to onshore in the intertidal area (Figure 13). The exact location of the cables and the construction technique is still being consulted on.

The Humber Estuary, including Horseshoe Point is designated as a site of international importance due to its size and the presence of extensive areas of coastal, intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats, which provide important breeding and over wintering habitats to numerous bird populations.

This area of the coast is also protected from flooding by a sea defence, maintained by the Environment Agency. Through consultation with the Environment Agency, Natural England and the relevant land owners we are developing a construction methodology to minimise any potential impacts to the sensitive intertidal environment and the sea defence.

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), thrust bore and trenching construction techniques are all being considered.

In August 2011 SMart Wind conducted some preliminary geotechnical ground investigations at Horseshoe Point to determine the suitability of the various construction techniques (Figure 12).

Figure 13 – Aerial photo of the interidal area.

Figure 12 – Preliminary ground investigation survey at proposed landfall.

Figure 10 – Indicative open cut trench. Figure 11 – Indicative HVDC cable drum.

The Onshore Converter Station


SMart Wind are currently considering the merits of four candidate converter station sites close to the existing National Grid substation at Killingholme which are outlined in Figure 15. Feedback from Phase 2 public consultation, commercial, property, planning, environmental and engineering constraints will all be considered in selecting the location for the converter station.

The detailed design of the converter station has not yet been confirmed but the maximum dimensions are 180m length x 146m length with a building up to 24m in height. There will also be an additional landscaping buffer to mitigate any potential visual impacts of the building.

Figure 14 presents a visual representation of an indicative converter station design. A more detailed 3D computer model will also be available at the consultation events.

As National Grid has now confirmed a 2nd GW can be connected at North Killingholme, SMart Wind are negotiating with land owners, to ensure enough land is secured at each site to build two converter stations.

For Project One, we are only consulting on the construction of a single 1GW converter station and we welcome all feedback on the options presented. Consultation on a second converter station for the 2nd GW will be undertaken as part of the application for development consent for Project Two.

Figure 14 – Visual representation of an indicative 1GW converter station. (Source: Siemens).

Scale 1:12,5000 125 250 375 500 625

m

Mallams Court 18 Milton Park Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RPT 01235 821888 F 01235 820351 E [email protected] W www.rpsgroup.com

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Potential 1GW AIS Converter Station Locations nr Killingholme Substation

Legend

Potential Converter Station Site Boundaries

Potential Underground Cable RouteDependant upon final route. Purely for illustrative purposes only

Indicative Overhead Line (OHL) RouteDependant upon final route and site selection. Purely for illustrative purposes only

A

B

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D Existing National Grid Substation

East Halton

NorthKillingholme

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Figure 15 – Candidate converter station locations.

The UK’s first Round 3 Met Mast Where will the offshore turbines be located?

In October 2011 SMart Wind became the first Round 3 project to install an independent meteorological mast (“met mast”) near the centre of Project One. In partnership with the Carbon Trust, SMart Wind has opted to use a novel twisted jacket foundation design.

During the installation of the foundation, marine mammal observations and acoustic monitoring surveys were undertaken to ensure impacts to marine mammals were minimised.

The met mast will collect wind speed and wind direction data at various heights up to 103m which will be used to help calculate the most efficient layout of individual turbines within Project One and future projects. The sensors and control systems will be powered by an array of solar panels along the southern side of the deck, and two battery boxes.

In addition to the met mast a second Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) device, which also measures wind speed was installed within the Zone on the Babbage platform, in June 2011 to complement the one installed on the Schooner platform at the end of January 2011 (figure 16).

Figure 17 – Met mast Installation (September 2011).

Figure 18 – Completed met mast with twisted jacket foundation (October 2011).


Since the last project update in March, the area of Project One has been refined to the individual Heron Wind and Njord boundaries shown in Figure 19. This boundary has been secured with The Crown Estate by means of an Agreement for Lease. For the purposes of undertaking studies for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a number of different turbine layouts will be assessed. Figure 19 shows one of the example layouts.

The number of turbines within each array depends on which turbine generation size is selected and ranges from 150-332. The turbines would have a maximum blade tip height of 200m and a maximum rotor diameter of 178 m (see Figure 20 on page 16).

Figure 19 – Example turbine layout.

Figure 16 - Windcube LiDAR installedon the Schooner and Babbage gasplatforms.

What will the turbines look like?


What further information have we gathered offshore?

SMart Wind continues to collect environmental information to improve our understanding of the Project One area. This includes survey results from geophysical, geotechnical, metocean, benthic ecology, fish and shellfish ecology, birds, marine mammals, underwater noise and shipping. The offshore physical environment SMart Wind has commissioned studies to assess the offshore wind resource, sea state and weather conditions, as well as the geology of the seabed within Project One.

Over the last 12 months, metocean data has been successfully collected through the deployment of seven oceanographic moorings and buoys.

A high resolution geophysical survey of the ground conditions of Project One was carried out from April to December 2010, to gain a better understanding of

the surface features of the seabed and subsurface geology. Geophysical surveys of the cable route study area were completed in April 2011. A preliminary geotechnical survey was carried out in September 2010, and during summer 2011 a comprehensive geotechnical survey (boreholes, vibrocores and cone penetration testing) was carried out across the site. The offshore biological environment

Birds and marine mammals

Bird and marine mammal baseline surveys commenced in March 2010 and will continue for two years. The preliminary results recorded a total of 37 seabird species and the three most common species in the Hornsea Zone were; guillemot, kittiwake (Figure 21) and razorbill, accounting for 61.8% of all seabirds. A total of six marine mammal species were recorded, harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphin were the

two most commonly occurring species.

The survey vessel has completed 6km transect survey lines of the Hornsea Zone and 2km transects in Project One, acquiring data by way of visual observation for birds and marine mammals. In addition, an acoustic hydrophone is towed during daylight hours to detect any marine mammals in the vicinity of the vessel.

The data will inform SMart Wind about how the birds are using the area such as migration, feeding or breeding) and their distribution.

Most importantly it will allow us to estimate collision risk to birds and any potential effects due to habitat loss and displacement or ‘barrier effects’ created by the presence of the wind turbines.

What about creatures on the seabed (‘benthos’)?

Surveys were carried out over the Hornsea Zone and Project One between April and December 2010 to identify the existing species and habitat distribution. These characterisation surveys involved a range of industry standard sampling techniques such as grab sampling, seabed video surveillance and scientific beam trawling. Heron Wind and Njord will be constructed in areas that support fauna typical of sand and gravel sediments in the region.

Figure 20 – Wind turbines dimensions compared to known landmarks.

Figure 21 – Kittiwake. Source: M. Bailey EMU.

Figure 22 – Minke whale. Source: M. Bailey EMU.

There are several Round 2 offshore wind farms planned or under construction off the East coast of England, as shown in Figure 8 on page 7. Westermost Rough and the recently consented Humber Gateway are both located less than 10km from the Holderness coast and approximately 95km west of Project One. Triton Knoll, Race Bank, Dudgeon and Docking Shoal offshore wind farms are also located in the ‘The Greater Wash’ area and are still in development. Lincs and Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farms have been successfully consented and are now under construction.

The Round 3 Dogger Bank and East Anglia Zones are located 70km north and 44km south of Project One respectively. As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) SMart Wind will be undertaking cumulative impact studies to assess the potential for inter zone impacts to occur across Round 3. Ongoing collaborative work includes studies focussing on navigation, birds and marine mammals. SMart Wind are also aware of future Carbon Capture & Storage projects currently being considered.

Cumulative effects will also be considered in relation to the onshore works. Work is underway to identify other proposed developments in the vicinity of the cable route and candidate converter station sites.

These may include the Able Marine Energy Park (Figure 5 on page 5), Able Humber Ports Facility (Northern Area), the Heron Renewable Energy Park (Drax Biomass Immingham Limited), the North Killingholme Power Project (C.Gen. Killingholme Limited), the URSA glass wool factory, the A160/A180 improvement scheme and the Tetney to Saltfleet Flood Tidal Defence Scheme. The final list of proposed developments for consideration will be agreed with prescribed consultees as part of the environmental assessment work.

What further information have we gathered offshore? Other developments in the area


Fish and shellfish ecology surveys

Offshore trawling, potting and intertidal fish surveys were undertaken in spring 2011 and repeated again in autumn 2011, after agreeing survey methodologies with input from local fisheries organisations and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). Herring were recorded throughout the survey area, as well as brown crab and whelk. The potential impact on migratory fish species such as atlantic salmon, sea trout, the european eel, sea lamprey and river lamprey will be assessed within the Environmental Statement, including effects on migration.

The offshore human environment The human environment encompasses the recreational, commercial use and the visual amenity of the offshore site.

Offshore surveys and desk based studies have been complemented by extensive consultation with existing users of the Project One area. These studies and consultations have helped to determine the key human issues for the project, such as shipping and navigation routes and the level of fishing activity that could be affected by the proposed development of Project One.

Findings from twelve months of Automatic Identification System (AIS) shipping data shows how Project One is currently being utilised by vessels. Results show that there are several routes regularly used by vessels to the west of the Zone, with the majority of

vessels headed to UK ports in the north-east. Consultation with the operators of these routes is underway.

AIS recording equipment is installed on several of our survey vessels with radar data also being collected for fishing and recreational vessels. Consultation has continued with local fishermen, their representatives along the east coast of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and with international fisheries. SMart Wind is commited to working with local fishermen to ensure that disruption to local fishing activity is minimised.

Oil and Gas infrastructure is a major consideration within the Hornsea Zone, with 17 offshore platforms and associated maintenance vessel and helicopter movements located in the Zone. SMart Wind has consulted with operators to ensure both parties are aware of project progress and opportunities for cooperation.

The offshore archaeology and cultural heritage of Project One has been investigated, by dividing it into two main disciplines: maritime archaeology on the seabed, which includes shipwrecks and aircraft losses; and submerged prehistoric archaeology, which considers the potential historic inhabitation of humans on land which is now submerged.

Characterising the Hornsea Zone

SMart Wind published a Zone Characterisation (ZoC) document in January 2011 that provides a broad description of the physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural heritage characteristics of the offshore Zone and a Zone Assessment Methodology (ZAM) document which describes the proposed methods to be used in assessing impacts across the Zone. Both of these documents, are available on the SMart Wind website.

What surveys are we undertaking onshore?


Since the last project update in March we have undertaken a number of onshore surveys along the cable route corridor, at the landfall points and at the candidate converter station locations to inform the onshore part of the EIA.

Great Crested Newt and breeding bird surveys were conducted between March and June this year and surveys are still ongoing along the chosen route to determine the location and population of protected species including bats, otters, water voles and badgers. The types of habitat that may be affected have been established and further surveys undertaken on important habitats such as hedge rows, areas suitable for reptiles and habitats at the proposed landfall near Horseshoe Point. Further monitoring of overwintering and migratory bird surveys are still being undertaken at the landfall.

Our ecological survey methodologies have been agreed with Natural England and the results and possible forms of mitigation, should they be required, will be included in the Phase 3 consultation.

The results of the surveys completed so far include:

• The habitat survey confirmed the main habitats along the route and on the converter station sites were arable fields or semi-improved grassland divided by hedgerows, drainage ditches and occasional areas of scattered scrub. Some areas of woodland and ponds lie adjacent to the routes and surveys of hedgerows are continuing;

• East of the sea defences at the landfall, areas of saltmarsh and a small cockle bed have been identified and will be avoided as far as possible by the cable routes. The cables will be laid in intertidal mud and sands which should recover quickly. A narrow strip of dune and/or saltmarsh alongside the sea wall might be affected where access is required to the beach.

• Great Crested Newts (Figure 23) – the proposed cable route and/or alternative converter station sites do not directly affect any ponds; ten ponds were surveyed that were near the route and/or converter stations sites and Great Crested Newts were found in one of them. Where necessary, mitigation measures will include measures to prevent the newts coming onto the route during construction.

• Breeding birds – the birds found breeding along the route and at the converter station sites were typical farmland birds. There were no breeding territories for the key species associated with the Humber Estuary SPA i.e. marsh harrier, little tern, avocet or bittern.

• Bat roosts, badger setts, otter holts, water vole burrows, or areas important for feeding and foraging by these species and suitable reptile habitat have been identified along or in proximity to the route so that appropriate mitigation measures can be included in the proposals.

In order to evaluate the buriedarchaeology along the cableroute and at the potentialconverter station sites we havealso commissioned a geophysical survey of the route. This survey is complete and will help to identify any potential sites of archaeological interest.

Depending on the results andother desk-based information,the next phase of the investigation might involve excavating trial trenches at some locations along the route, which are expected to start later this year, or a ‘written scheme of investigation’ that would be undertaken prior to and during the construction process. The investigations and mitigation measures are being agreed in consultation with the archaeological advisors of the host Local Authorities.

The results of desk studiesand surveys to date showsthat archaeological potential ishighest towards east andwestern ends of the route, inparticular there are:

Extensive Roman settlementand field systems in the Northand South Killingholme areas;

Widespread remains ofmedieval and probably earliersalt production, remains ofmedieval and post-medievalsea defences and prehistoricsites within or beneath alluvialsediments in the area east ofTetney.

Appropriate measuresto identify sites and/orrecord archaeology duringconstruction are beingdeveloped.

Along with ecological andarchaeological surveys thereare also a number of otherareas that will be assessed as part of the onshore EIA. The relevant surveys and assessments are currently on-going for the chosen cable route and the candidate converter station sites.

Figure 23 – Great Crested Newt.

Figure 24 – Bat.

The programme to achieve development consent for Project One remains on track. Phase 2 Consultation Events will commence on the 8th November and Phase 3 is planned for spring 2012.

SMart Wind aims to submit its DCO application for Project One in summer 2012. Subject to approval, construction on Project One is likely to commence in 2014, with final commissioning of the offshore wind farms proposed for 2017.

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When will the project be built?


Proposed project timeline

Project One Timeline 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Scoping

Phase 1 Consultation EventsPhase 2 Consultation EventsPhase 3 Consultation EventsEnvironmental Impact AssessmentDraft of Environmental Statement and DCOSubmission of DCODecision by IPC

Construction and Commissioning

Further surveys and assessments we are undertaking onshore include:

• Soils and grounds conditions, including soil types affected, how soils should be handled to ensure good restoration and if any areas might have been contaminated by previous uses;

• Effects on surface water drainage, watercourses and flood risk.

• Landscape and visual impacts, including the effects on landscape character and designations of both the converter station and the cable route and effects on the visual amenity of the area. Photographic surveys of the areas affected have been undertaken and appropriate mitigation and opportunities to improve landscape connectivity are being explored.

• Identifying footpaths, bridleways and other resources for recreation that might be affected during construction and how effects on users can be minimised;

• Traffic and transport - to determine the impact of construction traffic on the local highways and the communities alongside them and to identify appropriate routes for construction traffic. There are unlikely to be significant traffic effects during the operation of the cable route or the converter station.

• Effects on noise and air quality (e.g. dust) during construction and appropriate mitigation measures, together with identifying any potential noise sources at the converter stations that might have effects during operation.

Methodologies for all the onshore surveys will be agreed in consultation with specialists at Natural England, the Environment Agency and/or the host Local Planning Authorities. Surveys and assessments are planned to be undertaken until December this year, with a draft Environmental Statement and our Preliminary Environmental Information available for comments at the Phase 3 consultation planned for Spring next year.

Figure 25 – Water Vole.

Figure 26 – Bat surveying.

What surveys are we undertaking onshore?

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The Planning Act 2008 has made significant changes to the planning system applicable to offshore wind farm development. Project One will be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project because the development has a generating capacity of greater than 100MW.

Decisions on DCO applications will be taken in accordance with the six energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) which set out planning policy in relation to energy infrastructure, including offshore wind. The six energy NPSs received designation from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, on 18 July 2011.

The National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy (EN-3) states that Offshore wind farms are expected to make up a significant proportion of the UK’s renewable energy generating capacity up to 2020 and towards 2050, and describes what considerations will be taken into account when assessing an offshore wind application. The final decision to grant consent for Project One will be made by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

SMart Wind will produce an Environmental Statement for all offshore and onshore works associated with Project One – this will form one part of the documentation required to support an application for a DCO and set out how SMart Wind will minimise Project One’s impact on the environment.

Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality Management

SMart Wind has established an Integrated Management System for Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality in accordance with the internationally recognised standards of Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Standard (OHSAS 18001), Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001), and Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001). SMart Wind achieved certification to these standards earlier this year by the independent body, Lloyds Register for Quality Assurance (LRQA). For a joint venture to achieve certification to all three internationally recognised standards is an unprecedented milestone and confirms SMart Wind’s commitment to the Hornsea development.

“With grid connection secured for half the zone capacity and our Phase 2 consultation programme on track, SMart Wind remains the leader in terms of delivery. In parallel, our focus is also on reducing the levelised cost of energy in order to build a thriving UK offshore wind industry.”

Chris Hill, SMart Wind General Manager

Over 200 people attended our Phase 1 consultation events in March and April 2011, at village halls and community centres along the three proposed onshore cable corridors, both north and south of the Humber.

We also received widespread local television and newspaper coverage. Overall the response was very positive with 92% of respondents to our questionnaires in support of Project One and 98% of respondents saying they felt better informed as a result of attending the consultation event.

Feedback from the consultation events informed our cable route analysis culminating in the selection of the cable route alignment presented in Figure 9 on page 9.

Consultation with local communities, businesses, and organisations is a vital part of the planning process and all feedback from local consultation and statutory consultees will help to inform the design of the project. So being involved can influence the final design of Project One.

We are now entering into the second phase of public consultation; a 42 day consultation period will run from 4th November to 16th December 2011, during which we welcome your comments on our latest project development.

Phase 3 will be the final consultation for Project One prior to finalising and submitting our application for development consent. Our draft Environmental Statement and Preliminary Environmental Information will be made available at that time. Phase 3 will consist of a number of consultation events along the chosen onshore cable route and in the vicinity of other associated onshore development.

Confirmation of the venues and dates for Phase 3 consultation events will be publicised when known but we anticipate that this will be April 2012.

It is SMart Wind’s responsibility to provide an overview of how consultation has been conducted throughout the pre-application period and how comments from stakeholders have been addressed. A report of consultation undertaken to date will be available during the phase 3 consultation period, prior to submission of the application for development consent.

Consultation Events


The Consenting process explained


EC2Y 5DN

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 5500 Email: [email protected]


By registering on our website, you can select to receive


Date Venue Time Tuesday 8 November North Killingholme Village Hall 2pm – 8pm Village Green, North Killingholme. DN40 3LX Wednesday 9 November Immingham Civic Centre - Lyndsey Suite, 2pm – 8pm Pelham Road, Immingham. DN40 1QF Thursday 10 November Holton le Clay Church Hall 2pm – 8pm Church Lane, Holton le Clay. DN36 5AL Friday 11 November Princes Quay Shopping Centre 11am – 6pm Kingston-upon-Hull. HU1 2PQ Saturday 12 November Laceby Community Centre 11am – 4pm High Street. DN37 7AA Tuesday 15 November Grimsby Town Hall - Town Hall Square, 2pm – 8pm Grimsby. DN31 1HX Wednesday 16 November North Cotes Village Hall 2pm – 8pm Lock Road, North Cotes. DN36 5UP Thursday 17 November East Halton Village Hall 2pm – 8pm East Halton. DN40 3NS



Project One

Consultation Report

Annex 14




July 2013

SMart Wind Limited

11th Floor

140 London Wall

London

EC2Y 5DN

Tel 0207 7765500


Copyright © 2013


Liability





Date July 2013



Penny Pickett

Rachael Mills

Rosemary Tingle

Liam Leahy

Sheelagh Guilmartin

Ditte Bilde


Round 3 Hornsea Zone Development Update - Project One Preliminary Environmental Information SummaryJuly 2012 – Issue 3

SMart Wind is a 50/50 joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power (UK) Ltd and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH. The company has been established to develop at least 4GW of offshore wind in the Hornsea Zone which SMart Wind was awarded through The Crown Estate Round 3 bid process.

The company is seeking development consent for Project One, located 103km off the East Riding of Yorkshire coast. The location of Project One is shown in Figure 1. It will consist of offshore wind turbines, offshore High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) collector substations, offshore High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter stations or an offshore HVAC reactive compensation substation, an offshore cable route to shore, an onshore cable route, a new onshore HVDC converter station or HVAC substation and connection to the existing National Grid substation located at North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire.

The development of an offshore wind farm in the Hornsea Zone, and its associated infrastructure, will play a key part in achieving the UK’s renewable energy targets whilst meeting the need to ensure security of energy supplies.

This development update, published in July 2012, aims to:

• Summarise progress since the last update in November 2011

• Provide a Non-Technical Summary of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) for Project One

• Present the location of the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation selected after Phase 2 Consultation

• Describe the consenting process & timeline

• Outline future consultation phases

• Introduce Project Two

Development updates will continue to be published on a regular basis to keep the local community and interested parties informed on the progress of the Hornsea Zone.

Building New Partnerships

In December 2011 SMart Wind entered into a partnership with DONG Energy whereby DONG Energy acquired a 33.3% stake in Project One which has a potential total capacity of up to 1.2GW. DONG Energy has also acquired an option over Project Two within the Hornsea Zone.DONG Energy is one of the largest operators of offshore wind farms with 1,300MW under construction and 719MW in operation in the UK.

Introduction to SMart Wind and the Hornsea Zone

smartwind.co.uk Project One Preliminary Environmental Information Summary 01

Hull

Killingholme



Project OneHornsea Zone International BoundarySite & Consultation area for Ancillary/Associated Development

SMart Wind’s consultation strategy was based around the initial phases of consultation shaping the project design and location. Following completion of these initial stages the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Project One has been advanced to a stage where a Preliminary Environmental Information Report will be issued for Phase 3 consultation.

The Preliminary Environmental Information Report aims to provide a detailed description of Project One, a description of the environment in which it is set and an assessment of the possible impacts likely to occur due to its development. The full Preliminary Environmental Information Report can be downloaded from:www.smartwind.co.uk

The Preliminary Environmental Information Report consists of three volumes:

smartwind.co.uk Project One Preliminary Environmental Information Summary 02 Hornsea Project One Issue 3 – July 2012 03

Preliminary Environmental Information Summary

Figure 2 – The Crown Estate’s Round 3 Offshore Windfarm Zones

1

2

3

4

5

67

8

9


Zone Developer1. Moray Firth Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd.2. Firth of Forth Seagreen Wind Energy Ltd.3. Dogger Bank Forewind Ltd.4. Hornsea SMart Wind Ltd.5. East Anglia East Anglia Offshore Wind Ltd.6. Rampion E.ON/UK Southern Array Ltd. 7. Navitus Bay E neco Round 3 Development Ltd.8. Atlantic Array Bristol Channel Zone Ltd.9. Irish Sea Celtic Array - Centrica Energy

The Crown Estate Round 3

The Crown Estate Round 3The Hornsea Zone (Zone 4) is one of nine offshore Zones around the UK (Figure 2) and is part of a third round of offshore wind development with a total capacity of approximately 25GW. This follows the 8GW planned for Rounds 1 and 2 which are well underway with several sites already in operation and the remainder either in planning or construction. Overall the planned target for offshore wind energy generation is 33GW.

The Crown Estate was established under The Crown Estate Act (1961) to manage the assets of The Crown on behalf of the nation. In total these assets are valued in excess of £7.6Bn with revenue income from these assets of £240.2m for the financial year ending March 2012. This revenue is paid directly to HM Treasury for the benefit of the nation.

The Crown estate has committed over £100 million to help develop offshore wind projects. It also funds and otherwise supports a huge range of initiatives, from undertaking expensive but very important surveys of the mammal and bird populations to identifying the skills gap and careers opportunities in marine renewable energy. The results of this work are made freely available to existing and potential developers and, where possible, to the general public.

Volume 1: Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Policy and Legislative Context

Chapter 3: Project Description

Chapter 4: Site Selection and Consideration of Alternatives

Chapter 5: Environmental Impact Assessment Process and Methodology

Volume 2: Offshore

Chapter 1: Marine Geology

Chapter 2: Marine Processes

Chapter 3: Benthic Ecology

Chapter 4: Fish Ecology

Chapter 5: Marine Mammals

Chapter 6: Ornithology

Chapter 7: Commercial Fisheries

Chapter 8: Shipping and Navigation

Chapter 9: Aviation, Military, and Communications

Chapter 10: Marine Archaeology

Chapter 11: Seascape and Visual Resources

Chapter 12: Infrastructureand Other Users

Chapter 13: Nature Conservation

Volume 3: Onshore

Chapter 1: Geology and Ground Conditions

Chapter 2: Hydrology and Flood Risk

Chapter 3: Ecology

Chapter 4: Landscape and Visual Resources

Chapter 5: Historic Environment

Chapter 6: Land Use, Agriculture and Recreation

Chapter 7: Traffic and Transport

Chapter 8: Noise and Vibration

Chapter 9: Air Quality and Health

Chapter 10: Socio Economics

Project One will have a combined capacity of up to 1.2 gigawatts (GW). The offshore wind turbines for Project One will be located in the centre of the Hornsea Zone, covering an area of approximately 407km² (Figure 1).

Depending on the rated capacity of the turbines selected (between 3.6 and 8 megawatts (MW) each), the estimated number of wind turbines will be between 150 and 332. Four indicative turbine layouts are presented in Figure 3. The nearest turbine will be at least 103km from the East Riding of Yorkshire coast. Wind turbines used for Project One will have a maximum rotor diameter of 178m, maximum hub height of 120m, and maximum rotor tip height of 200m (see figure 4).

Project Description

Figure 4 – Wind turbines dimensions compared to known landmarks

The Hornsea Zone covers a total area of 4,735km² and is shown in detail in Figure 1. SMart Wind is planning to develop a number of offshore wind farms within the zone that will have a combined capacity of at least 4GW by 2020. This is being achieved by working in partnership with The Crown Estate, local onshore and offshore stakeholders, industry, regulators and the Government.

Figure 3 – Indicative Layouts


Due to Project One being located over 140km from the grid connection point at North Killingholme, SMart Wind is proposing to transmit the electricity generated via buried, High Voltage (HV) cables using either Direct Current (DC) or Alternating Current (AC).

The HVDC option will comprise inter array cabling, offshore HVAC collector substations, offshore HVDC converter station and export cable route to shore. Onshore works will include a landfall site with transition pit, an underground cable route from the coast to an onshore HVDC converter station, and a short underground cable connection between the converter station and substation, located in Killingholme. The schematic of the HVDC option can be seen in Figure 5.

The HVAC option will include similar infrastructure, but with the offshore HVDC converter

stations in the HVDC option being replaced with an offshore HVAC reactive compensation substation located along the export cable route. The schematic of the HVAC

option can be seen in Figure 6. It is important to note that the HVAC transmission option is being considered in addition to the HVDC option,

but only one transmission option will be developed during the final design of the project following consent.

The previous consultation phases undertaken by SMart Wind in March and November 2011 have been instrumental in guiding the decision process to select an offshore and onshore cable route and a location for the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation near North Killingholme. Of the four sites considered during the Phase 2 Consultation, the site chosen consistently represented the least impact in terms of environmental and engineering issues (Figure 7).

SMart Wind continues to conduct various environmental surveys along the chosen cable route corridor, as part of the EIA. Depending on the results of those continuing surveys there may be some minor alterations to the route alignment prior to Phase 4 Consultation in 2012.

Electrical Transmission System


Figure 7 – Onshore cable route corridor

The Onshore Grid Connection

Figure 6 – Main components of HVAC transmission system

Offshore HVAC collector

Substations

Offshore HVAC

ReactiveCompensation

Substation

HVAC Subsea Cable 33kV AC Subsea CableHVAC Subsea Cable

Landfall

HVAC Cable

HVAC Cable

ExistingNational GridSubstation

ExistingOverhead Line

OnshoreHVAC

Substation

North Sea

Figure 5 – Main components of HVDC transmission system

33kV AC Subsea Cable

Offshore HVAC

Collector Substations

Offshore HVDC

Converter Stations

HVDC Subsea Cable

Landfall

HVDC Cable

HVAC Cable


ExistingOverhead

Line

Onshore HVDC

ConverterStation

North Sea

The detailed building design of the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation has not yet been confirmed but the maximum dimensions are 200m length x 150m width x 24m height, this will include a landscaping buffer to mitigate any potential visual impacts of the building.

Figures 8 & 9 show a visual representation of an indicative worst case onshore HVDC converter station and onshore HVAC substation design at the chosen site shown in Figure 7.

The Onshore HVDC Converter/ HVAC Substation

Approach to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Figure 9 – Visual representation of an indicative worst case onshore HVAC substation

Figure 8 – Visual representation of an indicative worst case onshore HVDC converter station

Site Selection

SMart Wind recognises the importance of selecting spatial boundaries and design envelope parameters for the various offshore and onshore constituent parts based on careful consideration of technical, environmental, engineering, economic and stakeholder concerns. These components include, but are not limited to, the Hornsea Zone boundary, location of Project One, the associated offshore and onshore cable route encompassing the landfall, and the onshore HDVC converter station/HVAC substation. The location of the grid connection point for Project One was determined by National Grid through the Grid Connection Application Process.

SMart Wind’s approach to the Hornsea Zone and Project One is based on early engagement with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory stakeholders.

The 4 phases of consultation designed by SMart Wind have and will provide genuine opportunities for stakeholders to review and influence the relevant spatial and project design decisions throughout the process of project development.For example, the alignment of the export cable route and selection of onshore HVDC converter station/HVAC substation has been influenced by stakeholder feedback from Phase 1 and Phase 2 Consultation Events.

“The input by stakeholders into the selection process for the onshore HVDC converter station/HVAC substation site has demonstrated the value of our consultation process".


The Consenting Process

The Planning Act 2008 made significant changes to the planning system applicable to

offshore wind farm development. All projects within the Hornsea Zone are classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) because each project will have a generating capacity of greater than 100MW. Prior to the adoption of the Localism Act in April 2012, the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) was the examining authority on NSIPs; however the majority of the IPC’s powers have been transferred to the Planning Inspectorate, an Executive Agency of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The decision to grant consent for any project within the Hornsea Zone will be made by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

Decisions on applications for development consent will be taken in accordance with the National Policy Statements (NPSs) on Energy which set out planning policy in relation to energy infrastructure, including offshore wind. The six energy

NPSs received designation from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the 18 July 2011. The National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy (EN-3) states that Offshore wind farms are expected to make up a significant proportion of the UK’s renewable energy generating capacity up to 2020 and towards 2050, and describes what considerations will be taken into account when assessing an offshore wind application.

SMart Wind will produce an Environmental Statement for all offshore and onshore works associated with each project within the Hornsea Zone – this will form one part of the documentation required to support an application for development consent and sets out how SMart Wind will minimise the potential impact on the environment. A full complement of all application documents, reports and plans for Project One will be made available for review and comment at Phase 4 Consultation later in 2012.


The EIA process involves the collection of environmental data through consultation with relevant statutory consultees, desk top studies and site surveys. This data informs the description of the baseline environment within the Environmental Statement. An impact assessment is then completed based on this information to determine whether any impact associated with Project One’s development is predicted to adversely affect the environment.

The EIA is completed by specialist consultants on behalf of SMart Wind including ornithologists, archaeologists, marine biologists, environmental scientists and shipping & aviation experts. The Preliminary Environmental Information Report distributed at Phase 3 Consultation will set out the information that has been collected to date and the environmental impacts that have been assessed.

The Environmental Statement for Project One will be submitted along with the application for Development Consent Order which will both be available at Phase 4 Consultation.

To facilitate some flexibility in project design parameters, the impact assessment considers the impacts arising from a ‘realistic worst-case scenario’ in the EIA. For example SMart Wind will be applying for consent for a range of wind turbine numbers from 150 to 332 based on either using a 3.6MW or 8MW wind turbine.

Consultation

Phase 1 Consultation took place in March and April 2011 on the overall project and the broad onshore cable route study area. As well as consulting prescribed consultees, over 200 people attended 11 consultation events at village halls and community centres along the three proposed onshore cable

corridor options, both north and south of the Humber. Widespread local TV and newspaper coverage was also received. Overall the response to questionnaires was very positive with 92% of respondents in support of Project One and 98% of respondents stating that they felt better informed as a result of attending the consultation event.

Feedback from the consultation events informed the selection of the cable route alignment presented in Figure 7.


Phase 2 Consultation consisted of 8 consultation events in November 2011. Events were held at venues used during Phase 1 Consultation that were in closest proximity to the preferred onshore cable route corridor and other associated onshore development.

Feedback from stakeholders, landowners, local residents, businesses and other organisations enabled SMart Wind to select a preferred site for the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation from the four options presented during the Phase 2 Consultation events.

Phase 3 Consultation will be undertaken in summer 2012, by correspondence only, to the same parties consulted during Phases 1 and 2. SMart Wind will also issue the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (of which this summary forms part) for review and comment during Phase 3.

Phase 4 Consultation will be the final stage of consultation and will give all stakeholders the opportunity to review and comment on all documents, reports and plans that will accompany the application to the Planning Inspectorate in early 2013. Confirmation of the venues and dates for Phase 4 Consultation Events will be publicised when known but this is anticipated to be late 2012.


Phase 1 Consultation EventPhase 2 Consultation event at Prince's Quay Shopping cente, Hull

Socio Economics

The construction and operation of Project One has the potential to positively impact the local region. The growth in the region due to the offshore wind industry is centred on the supply chain for the construction and operation of such projects. Since the last project update the offshore wind energy industry has been in the

headlines, in both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Supply chain growth and job creation are however dependent on Round 3 offshore wind farm projects such as the Hornsea Zone gaining consent and being built.

Green Port Hull Development

On 9th May 2012, Hull City Council approved the plans

submitted by Siemens and Associated British Ports (ABP) to construct a new Siemens offshore wind turbine manufacturing and export facility at ABP’s proposed Green Port Hull development at Alexandra Dock.

Siemens intends to produce its new direct-drive offshore wind turbine with a capacity of 6MW at the new facility and in so doing places the Humber at the centre of the UK’s wind turbine supply chain, potentially creating up to 700 direct jobs with additional potential within the supply chain.It is important to note that the SMart Wind partnership between Mainstream Renewable Power (UK) Ltd and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH is not linked with the proposed manufacturing facility.

ABLE Port Development

ABLE UK is now at an advanced stage of developing its proposed Marine Energy Park on the South

Humber Bank (Figure 11) and has submitted its plans to the Planning Inspectorate for approval. The proposed Marine Energy Park comprises some 327ha for the manufacturing, commissioning and installation of offshore wind turbines, and includes a deep water frontage specifically designed for managing the logistics associated with the offshore renewable sector.

It is envisaged that in the future, as other sustainable energy technologies are developed, such as wave technology for example, the Marine Energy Park could be well placed to provide the infrastructure required to deliver these types of projects.

Both of these proposed developments have been met with overwhelming support across the wider Humber region and are supported by SMart Wind.

Figure 10 – Proposed ABP Port Development

In addition, 350 jobs will be created by Siemens in Manchester through the development of an HVDC emulation facility.

SMart Wind is a member of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce which is uniting North and South bank aspirations behind a single Local Enterprise Partnership.

LEP's and Enterprise Zones at the heart of economic recovery

The emergence of Local Enterprise Partnerships in the wake of Regional Development Agencies is perceived as critical to supporting future regional economic recovery by bringing local authorities and businesses together to build an environment for investment, enterprise and sustainable private sector growth.

SMart Wind welcomed the Government’s announcement back in August 2011, that the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s bid for a 375ha Enterprise Zone had been successful, a key milestone in attracting offshore wind energy supply chain businesses to cluster in the Humber region.

SMart Wind also welcomed the announcement in the Chancellors Autumn statement last November 2011 that a second Humber Enterprise Zone, 161ha in size had also been approved. Together these developments make the Humber Enterprise Zones the largest in the country by at least a factor of two.

On Friday 9th March 2012, representatives from SMart Wind, along with other businesses and stakeholders interested to hear about progress with the Local Enterprise Partnerships and Enterprise Zones, gathered in Hull for the inaugural Humber Local Enterprise Partnership Forum. Rt. Hon. Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, offered an inspirational keynote address alongside the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Chairman, Lord Haskins of Skidby.

Figure 11 – Proposed ABLE Port Development

Growth for the region


The Offshore Environmental Impact Assessment

The Offshore Physical Environment

Various geophysical and geotechnical surveys have been undertaken since 2010 which have enabled the characterisation of seabed formations, surface geology, bathymetry (water depth) and seabed sediment type. This information has been used within the assessments to determine Project One’s impact on the physical environment while also providing valuable information towards the design of foundations and cable installation methods for Project One.

A comprehensive 12 month meteorological campaign consisting of seven met buoys within the Hornsea Zone has recently been completed. This has been supplemented with wind data collected from Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) instruments fixed on the Babbage and Schooner gas platforms and more recently

through live data streams from the offshore met mast installed in October 2011, the first Round 3 met mast (picture below) in the UK.

Marine Geology & Oceanography

Water depths within the windfarms are generally less than 30m while along the cable route a maximum water depth of 63m has been recorded at the northern extent of Silver Pit.

The dominant sediment types identified within the windfarm area are gravelly sand and sandy gravel. On the cable route corridor, the surficial sediments comprising sand, gravelly sand and sandy gravel are mostly less than 1m thick. In general, sediment transport direction within the windfarm area and the cable route corridor is orientated from the southeast to the northwest, perpendicular to the crests of contemporary mobile bedforms.

Marine Processes & Water Quality

The assessment of hydrodynamic and sediment processes has indicated that the offshore infrastructure of Project One will not cause any significant changes to tidal currents, waves, sediment processes or water quality during the construction and operational phase of the offshore wind farm.

The Offshore Biological Environment

Birds

SMart Wind has undertaken 24 months of boat-based surveys of seabirds and marine mammals across Project One and the wider Hornsea Zone, completing a two year period in February 2012. A total of 37 seabird species were identified in the first year’s survey. The three most frequently recorded species in Project One were guillemot, kittiwake and razorbill. The impact assessment on seabird species has been designed around regulatory guidance and industry best practice.

The main impacts assessed include displacement, collision risk and barrier impacts. Based on analysis of the Year 1 data, it is concluded that the impact of any collision risk, displacement or barrier impacts resulting from Project One on the bird species recorded would be low and that effects were not considered significant for the majority of seabird species.

The statistical analyses of the Year 2 data will be incorporated into the Environmental Statement which will be issued at Phase 4 Consultation.

Underwater Noise

To better understand the impact of construction noise on marine species, underwater noise modelling for Project One is being carried out by specialist consultants.

The underwater noise assessment methodology has been agreed with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the results will feed into the offshore biological assessments. Preliminary results have been used to inform the marine mammal and fish ecology assessments and further modelling will be carried out for inclusion in the Environmental Statement to be consulted upon at Phase 4 Consultation.


Hornsea Offshore Met Mast

Met Ocean Buoy within the Hornsea Zone

Kittewakes

Little Egrets

Little Egrets

Marine Mammals

The visual marine mammal data collected during the 2 year boat based surveys was supplemented with acoustic data acquired by towed hydrophones. A total of six marine mammal species were recorded in Year 1: harbour porpoise; white-beaked dolphin; bottlenose dolphin; minke whale; harbour seal and grey seal.

A key component in the marine mammal assessment is understanding the potential impact of underwater noise from foundation piling on marine mammals.

Underwater noise may cause physical injury or disturbance to marine mammal species. In consultation with JNCC, SMart Wind is using both underwater noise modelling to help inform the construction design methods and the implementation of a Marine Mammal Mitigation Protocol to reduce this impact to acceptable levels.

Benthic Ecology

Benthic ecology refers to the communities of flora and fauna which live on or in the seabed and the relationships that they have with each other and with the physical environment. To characterise the benthic ecology within Project One, desk-based studies and site-specific surveys were undertaken throughout June to October 2011. These surveys involved seabed grab sampling, seabed video surveillance and scientific trawling within Project One, the offshore cable route and the intertidal area. The seabed within the Hornsea Zone supports a variety of benthic communities that are characteristic of the southern North Sea.

The distribution of these habitats is related to varying physical factors such as water depth, tidal conditions and thermal stability at the seabed. Key habitats include shallow coarse sediment supporting catworm, sea urchin and amphipods together with comparatively deeper water fine sand habitats characterised by the polychaete worms. Overlying these sediment habitats are assemblages of larger, more mobile species characterised by brown shrimp, hermit crab, flying crab, common starfish and brittlestars.

Due to the small development footprint on the seabed, it is predicted that Project One will not have a significant impact on benthic ecology.

Fish & Shellfish Ecology

Herring, plaice, cod, sandeel, brown crab and lobster are key species within Project One, due to their importance commercially and/or as prey species supporting the wider food chain.

The characterisation studies found that potential spawning and nursery grounds are present for these species within the vicinity of the Project One development, however for all fish species considered, the windfarm area and the cable route corridor show low spawning intensity, with the majority of species having high intensity spawning grounds to the north and/or east of the Hornsea Zone.

All impacts and their effects associated with the development of Project One are not considered significant. These included habitat loss due to the footprint of Project One, the re-suspension of sediment due to its disturbance, behavioural impacts due to electromagnetic fields from inter-array and export cables and an assessment of disturbance to important spawning areas based on preliminary underwater noise modelling.



Minke Minerva

Grey Seal

Benthos Ecology

The Offshore Human Environment

Navigation & Shipping

To determine the shipping density within the study area for Project One, Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Radar surveys have been completed. There was an average of 30 vessels per day passing within 10 nautical miles of Project One and an average of 12 of those vessels intersected with Project One. The majority of these were commercial cargo vessels and tankers. Only one passenger ferry intersects with the boundary of Project One namely the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry route operated by DFDS.

A Navigational Risk Assessment (NRA) to assess the risk to vessel safety during the construction and operation of Project One and a preliminary assessment of potential locations for the offshore HVAC reactive compensation substation along the cable route has been completed. The incorporation of appropriate aids to navigation and the dissemination of information, such as Notice to Mariners will ensure safe passage of shipping during the construction and operational phases of Project One.

Commercial Fishing

A detailed characterisation of fisheries activity has been undertaken on a country by country basis for the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Norway. Further information on the key commercial species, their management at European Union (EU) level and catch seasonality, together with fishing gear and vessel profiles is also included in the

assessment on commercial fishing.In consultation with the fishing industry, SMart Wind is investigating turbine spacing and array design that allows for co-existence between the offshore wind farms and fishing activities. Through effective communication such as Notice to Fishermen, the potential impacts on commercial fishing can be addressed through early communication of survey activities in the development phase and agreed codes of practice during the construction and operation phases.

Aviation, Radar and Communications

Helicopter Main Routes (HMRs) across the North Sea are in place for the purpose of supporting the safe transport of personnel and equipment to offshore installations during poor weather conditions. One such HMR intersects the eastern boundary of Project One. SMart Wind is currently in dialogue with aviation authorities and helicopter operators to realign this HMR with the eastern boundary of Project One.

Consultation zones of 9 nautical miles around three existing gas platforms (Saturn, Mimas and Schooner platforms) intersect with the boundary of Project One. Through technical analysis, SMart Wind has concluded this would not result in any significant impact upon existing operations and consultations with helicopter operators, aviation authorities and gas platform owners are ongoing.

Project One is not predicted to have an impact on air traffic control radar along the east coast of England such as the NATS En-Route Limited Claxby and Cromer primary surveillance radar. Potential impacts on the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) defence radars located at Staxton Wold and Trimingham and any meteorological radar are also being assessed.

Consultation with the MOD on this assessment is on-going to ensure their operations remain unaffected. Project One is not predicted to impact upon maritime communication devices including cellular telephones, satellite communications, VHF radio, television and offshore microwave fixed links.

Marine Archaeology

Various sources were consulted to identify archaeological records within the vicinity of Project One, these included United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) wreck and obstruction records, Admiralty Charts and the National Monuments Record (NMR). This information was supplemented by the results of geophysical survey data collected by SMart Wind in 2011. A total of five anomalies ascribed a “high” archaeological potential rating classified as shipwrecks are

located within the boundaries of the windfarms and the cable route. Samples from the proposed geotechnical survey in 2012 will be analysed for submerged prehistoric archaeology.

In consultation with English Heritage, the implementation of an industry standard Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) will ensure protection of known archaeological sites through the implementation of appropriate exclusion zones. The potential for unexploded ordnance within the Project One area was also assessed as this presents a safety issue to Project One’s development.

Seascape & Visual Resources

The windfarm area for Project One is located 103km from the East Riding of Yorkshire coast and will not be seen from shore and thus will have no visual

impact on land based observers. A seascape assessment has concluded that Project One will have a low impact given the temporary duration of the impact on moving observers such as fishing and commercial vessels.

Other Marine Users

Through continued ongoing consultation with oil and gas operators, Department of Energy and Climate Change and Oil & Gas UK, it is anticipated that any potential interaction between Project One and current gas exploration or production activities will be minimised. No significant impacts are predicted for recreational users, the dredging and aggregates industries or future potential Carbon Capture & Storage sites.



Commercial shipping vessel

Commercial fishing vessel

Gas platform with helicopter access

Ecology and Nature Conservation

Habitat and protected species surveys of the cable route, onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation site and surrounding area commenced in 2011 and are ongoing. The majority of the study area comprises agricultural fields bounded by hedges and drainage ditches, interspersed with small scattered parcels of woodland. Several ponds lie adjacent to the route. The study area also includes limited areas of semi-improved grassland, urban and farm buildings and hard-standing surfaces such as car parks and roads.

At the landfall, areas of saltmarsh and a small cockle bed have been identified and will be avoided as far as possible by the cable route. The cables will be laid in intertidalmud and sands. These environments are subject to constant change and are known to recover quickly from disturbance.

Valued Ecological Receptors are sites, habitats and species of ecological or nature conservation importance that could be significantly affected by a project. Those identified by surveys are:

• Great crested newts – the proposed cable route and onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation site does not directly affect any ponds; ten ponds were surveyed that were near the route and/or the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation site and great crested newts were found in only one of them. Where necessary, mitigation will include measures to prevent the newts straying onto the route during construction.

• Breeding birds – the birds found breeding along the route and at the converter station sites were typical farmland birds. There were no breeding territories for the key species associated with the Humber Estuary SPA (i.e., marsh harrier, little tern, avocet or bittern).

• Bat roosts, badger setts, otter holts, water vole burrows, or areas important for feeding and foraging by these species and suitable reptile habitat have been identified along or in proximity to the route so that appropriate mitigation measures can be included in the proposals.

The Onshore Physical Environment

Geology and Ground Conditions

There are unlikely to be any significant effects during the construction phase on bedrock geology, superficial deposits, ground conditions and groundwater quality. There are no nearby designated geological sites. Activities on site would be temporary and controlled through best practice site management, implemented by a Construction Environmental Management Plan.

Hydrology and Flood Risk

The landfall, cable route and onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation are situated within or cross a number of hydrological catchments, designated main rivers and drainage and irrigation channels maintained by Internal Drainage Boards.

Environment Agency mapping shows that the majority of the proposed development is located within land with less than a 0.1% annual probability of river or sea flooding. The flood risk posed to the development has been assessed as 'minor adverse' taking into account the adoption of appropriate mitigation measures.

The range of proposed engineering methods will ensure the sea defence structure is not compromised at the landfall located at Horseshoe Point. In addition, a range of proposed cable route crossing techniques for main and minor water courses are currently being agreed in consultation with stakeholders.

The Onshore Environmental Impact Assessment


Cable route walk over

Newt

The types of habitat affected have been identified and further surveys undertaken on important habitats such as hedgerows, areas suitable for reptiles and intertidal habitats at the proposed landfall near Horseshoe Point. Further monitoring of overwintering and migratory bird surveys is still being undertaken at the landfall.

Ecological survey methodologies have been agreed with Natural England and any proposed mitigation will be agreed with them prior to construction.

Findings of these ecology surveys will be used to inform the final cable route and onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation design, location, mitigation strategies and impact assessment.

From the survey data gathered so far, it is anticipated that by applying effective mitigation measures, the likely effects of this development on sites, habitats and species of ecological and nature conservation concern will not be significant.

The Onshore Human Environment Landscape and Visual Resources

The landscapes within which the cable route and onshore converter/substation are located are not formally designated. In general they are considered to be of a low sensitivity to the proposed development. However, there are a few places where they are thought to be more sensitive - the intertidal area at the landfall; the area of small fields with mature hedgerows to the north-east of Laceby and an area of small fields and mature hedgerows to the east of East Halton.

The visual receptors considered are residential, users of public rights of way, other tourist receptors, commercial receptors, industrial receptors and dynamic receptors. The magnitude of impact is primarily determined by

distance from the cable route or onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation. For the cable route it will be those residents, users of public rights of way and people travelling along roads that are impacted by the landfall and installation of the cable route. For the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation it will be both the construction and the operation of the building that will impact upon receptors.

It is anticipated that none of the permanent effects on landscape resources or visual receptors will be significant, barring one property, which may experience a moderate/major significance of effects due to the presence of the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation. However, the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation will be screened by the proposed buildings and bunds either side of the access road to the Able Ports Northern Area.

Historic Environment

Based on information from a geophysical investigation along the cable route undertaken in 2011, field-walking, analysis of aerial photographs and trial-trenching is taking place at targeted locations along the route.

A ‘written scheme of investigation’ details all the work that would be undertaken prior to and during the construction process. The investigations and mitigation

measures have been agreed with the archaeological curators of the relevant Planning Authorities.

The results of desk studies and surveys to date show that archaeological potential is highest towards eastern and western ends of the route, in particular there are Roman/Medieval settlement and field systems in the North and South Killingholme areas and widespread remains of medieval and probably earlier salt production in the area east of Tetney.



Water Vole

Otter

Archaeology Trench Testing 2012

Land Use, Agriculture and Recreation

Soils near the seaward end of the cable are of very good agricultural quality, silty in texture and chalky in nature. At the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation site, soils are heavy clay loam of lesser agricultural quality than those along the cable route.

Horseshoe Point is used for recreation and has a public car park and public footpaths. Broad sand and mud banks above mean low water are accessible from Horseshoe Point. In total there are up to 62 highway and public footpath crossings along the onshore cable route. The effect on recreation will not be significant because Rights of Way requiring temporary closure during construction will only be closed for short periods.

Noise and Vibration

Background noise levels were recorded by SMart Wind in the proximity of the onshore HVDC

converter/HVAC substation during 2011. Given the transient and intermittent nature of noise during construction, it is estimated that localised effects will be temporary and have negligible significance. Noise levels emanating from the operation of the onshore infrastructure are predicted to be well below current background levels.

Traffic and Transport

The transport environmental effects are associated with the temporary movement of construction workers, equipment and materials and abnormal loads. Movements associated with the operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the cable route and onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation are expected to be negligible. A Construction Environmental Management Plan will ensure that construction sites lead to no material increase in risk for other highway users.

Following mitigation, there is expected

to be a temporary and short term minor adverse impact in terms of:

• Driver delay where the cable route crosses the A16 and the A160;

• A temporary increase in the passage of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) through North Thoresby and Tetney during the construction phase. Although it is expected that there will be restrictions on HGV's operating times to avoid school opening and closing periods;

• Transportation of abnormal loads to the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation site during the construction phase, although the effect will be minimised through proper planning and management of the movements.

Air Quality & Health

The main potential impact on air quality is dust released during

construction. Fine dust may be of concern to health. Existing air quality in the project area is good, with monitored concentrations of fine particles well below the objectives set by the National Air Quality Strategy. Dust from construction of this project would not cause these objectives to be exceeded. It is anticipated that no significant impacts on air quality would be likely to arise during operation, maintenance or decommissioning of the project. Consideration has been given to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields arising from HVDC or HVAC cables and the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation.

The anticipated Electromagnetic Field (EMF) strengths that would be generated by the proposed infrastructure fall well within the relevant guideline public exposure values, which are set below the established thresholds for harmful health effects published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the UK Health Protection Agency.

When will the project be built?

SMart Wind aims to submit the Project One consent application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) in early 2013. Subject to approval, construction is likely to commence at the earliest in 2015.



Figure 12 - Indicative Project One timeline

Project One Timeline 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Scoping

Phase 1 Consultation EventsPhase 2 Consultation EventsPhase 3 Consultation EventsPhase 4 Consultation EventsEnvironmental Impact AssessmentDraft of Environmental Statement and DCOSubmission of DCODecision by PINS


SMart Futures, University Collaboration & The Marine Business Award

As the only truly supply-chain-led consortium in The Crown Estate’s Round 3 Offshore wind programme, the SMart Wind partners have established a number of initiatives aimed at both awareness-raising and sector-attraction within schools and higher education institutions.

SMart Futures Schools’ Programme

SMart Wind’s Community Schools’ programme, SMart Futures, goes from strength to strength. It is raising awareness about climate change and the need for energy security from low-carbon sources as well as encouraging Year 9 pupils (13 & 14 years old) to consider the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) as a good basis for accessing careers in the renewable industry.

Since its launch in October 2010, local schools have participated in competitions to name Project One and Project Two.

Overall, 30 schools from North and South of the Humber Estuary have participated in SMart Futures, with almost 6,000 pupils and teachers participating in awareness-raising presentations and nearly 1,800 students and teachers engaging in practical, hands-on technical workshops related to wind energy.

Going beyond its original remit, SMart Futures has been introduced into a Special Needs School near Hull, as well as at the 2011 World Skills Event at the London Excel Conference Centre. It has also been pioneered as an exemplar STEM activity for Science teachers at York University undergoing initial teacher training.

SMart Futures was designed in collaboration by SMart Wind, STEMNET and also Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA), the 2012 winner of the Humber Renewables Award for “Delivering Excellence in Training & Education”. SMart Futures is nominated for two national industry awards in 2012.

The Crown Estate Marine Business Award

SMart Wind have been named winner of the prestigious Marine Business Award at The Crown Estate’s 2012 Business Awards held at the Institute of Directors in London on the 21st June 2012. This is the first time this award has been given to an offshore wind developer.

It recognises “excellence in sustainability, innovation and business performance” as well as the “integration of environmental, social and economic activities” is clear recognition of SMart Wind’s strong and positive achievements to date.

Higher Education & University Collaboration

Generation of energy from low carbon secure sources of energy is of great national and regional importance. Universities have the opportunity to provide significant support to the development of the sector through education and training of engineering staff and through the exploitation of research and innovation expertise.

In order to fully take advantage of this opportunity, it is important that universities are well connected to industry, particularly to sectors exhibiting strong long-term growth such as offshore renewable energy.

Both the SMart Wind partners have collaborations underway with local universities, including University of Lincoln and University of Hull, all with a view to maximising their contribution

to industry growth through the supply of suitably qualified engineers and the provision of relevant, credible and applied research on a timely basis.

SMart Wind Project

Project One

Project Two

Hornsea Asset

Wind Farm 1

Wind Farm 2

OFTO 1

Wind Farm 3

Wind Farm 4

OFTO 2

Winning Names for Individual Assets

Heron Wind Ltd.

Njord Ltd.

Vi Aura Transmission Ltd.

Optimus Wind Ltd.

Breesea Ltd.

Optimus Wind Transmission Ltd.

Winning School

South Axholme, N.Lincolnshire

Hessle High School, East Riding of Yorks

South Hunsley, East Riding of Yorks

Frederick Gough, N.Lincolnshire

Hornsea S&LC East Riding of Yorks

Frederick Gough, N.Lincolnshire

Commended Runners-Up

Beverley High, Malet Lambert,Hornsea S&LC.

Beverley-Longcroft,Withernsea,

Healing School.

Academic Year

2010/11

2011/12


Climate Change Minister Greg Barker with students at Hornsea School

Marine Business Award 2012

Introduction to Project Two

The Scoping Report for the second project within the Hornsea Zone is scheduled to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) in Summer 2012, which will trigger the start of the formal pre-application process for Project Two. The Scoping Report will include a description of proposed works, the likely predicted impacts on the environment and the methods that will be used during the EIA process.

Since National Grid confirmed in September 2011 that a second GW can be connected at North Killingholme, SMart Wind has ensured enough land has been secured for two onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substations required to connect both Project One and Project Two.

As Project One and Project Two have the potential to share the same grid connection route, environmental and engineering surveys undertaken to date have been designed to cover combined footprint suitable for a 2GW connection should this prove to be the selected cable route. SMart Wind will where possible synchronise future consultation phases for Project One and Project Two.

Hull

Killingholme

Figure 14 – Location of Project Two


Project One Project TwoHornsea Zone International Boundary

smartwind.co.uk Project One Preliminary Environmental Information Summary 28

Project Two Timeline 2012 2013 2014 2015 – 2019

Scoping

Phase 1 Consultation EventsPhase 2 Consultation EventsEnvironmental Impact AssessmentSubmission of DCO

Decision by PINS

Construction

Figure 13 - Indicative Project Two timeline


EC2Y 5DN

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 5500 Freephone: 0800 285 1295 Email: [email protected]


By registering on the SMart Wind website, you can select to receive



Project One

Consultation Report

Annex 15




July 2013

SMart Wind Limited

11th Floor

140 London Wall

London

EC2Y 5DN

Tel 0207 7765500


Copyright © 2013


Liability





Date July 2013



Penny Pickett

Rachael Mills

Rosemary Tingle

Liam Leahy

Sheelagh Guilmartin

Ditte Bilde


Round 3 Hornsea Zone Development Update Project One - Draft Environmental Statement Summary Project Two - Update

January 2013 – Issue 4

SMart Wind is a 50/50 joint venture between International Mainstream Renewable Power (Offshore) Limited (IMRPOL) and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH (SPV) established to promote the development of at least 4GW of offshore wind in the Hornsea Zone.

SMart Wind, on behalf of the developing companies (collectively referred to as ‘the Developer’), is compiling and consulting on the application for

development consent for Project One, located 103km off the East Riding of Yorkshire coast. The location of Project One is shown in Figure 1. It will consist of offshore wind turbines, offshore High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) collector substations, offshore High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) convertor stations or an offshore HVAC reactive compensation substation, an offshore cable route to shore, an onshore cable route, a new onshore HVDC converter station or HVAC substation and connection to the existing National Grid substation located at North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire.

The development of an offshore wind farm in the Hornsea Zone, and its associated infrastructure, will play a key part in achieving the UK’s renewable energy targets whilst meeting the need to ensure security of energy supplies.

This development update, published in January 2013, aims to:

• Summarise progress since the last update in August 2012;

• Provide a non-technical summary of the Project One Draft Environmental Statement;

• Describe the consenting process & timeline; and

• Provide an update on Project Two.

Development updates will continue to be published on a regular basis to keep the local community and interested parties informed on the progress of the Hornsea Zone.

In December 2011, SMart Wind entered into a partnership with DONG Energy whereby DONG Energy acquired a 33.3% stake in Hornsea Project One.

DONG Energy has also acquired an option over Project Two within the Hornsea Zone.

Project One has a potential total capacity of up to 1.2GW and will be developed in up to three phases owned jointly by Mainstream, Siemens and DONG Energy. These companies together are the Developer of Project One and will be joint applicant for development consent for Project One.

Introduction to SMart Wind and the Hornsea Zone

smartwind.co.uk Project One Draft Environmental Statement Summary 01

Hull

Killingholme



Project OneHornsea Zone International Boundary

Cover image: Minke whale and kittiwakes, high resolution digital photography aerial survey, Hornsea Zone (APEM, 2012)


The Hornsea Zone (Zone 4) is one of nine offshore wind farm Zones around the UK (Figure 2) forming the third round of offshore wind development by The Crown Estate. The third round has a total capacity of approximately 25 gigawatts (GW) and follows the 8GW planned for Rounds 1 and 2, which are well underway with several sites already in operation and the remainder either in planning or construction.

The Crown Estate was established under The Crown Estate Act (1961) to manage the assets of The Crown on behalf of the nation. In total these assets are valued at a little over £7.6Bn with revenue income from these assets of £240.2m for the financial year ending March 2012. This revenue is paid directly to HM Treasury for the benefit of the nation.

The Crown Estate has committed over £100m to help develop offshore wind projects. It also supports a huge range of initiatives, from undertaking expensive but very important surveys of mammal and bird populations to identifying the skills gap and careers opportunities in marine renewable energy. The results of this work are made freely available to existing and potential developers and, where possible, to the general public.

Figure 2 – The Crown Estate’s Round 3 Offshore Windfarm Zones

1

2

3

4

5

67

8

9


Zone Developer1. Moray Firth Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd.2. Firth of Forth Seagreen Wind Energy Ltd.3. Dogger Bank Forewind Ltd.4. Hornsea SMart Wind Ltd.5. East Anglia East Anglia Offshore Wind Ltd.6. Rampion E.ON/UK Southern Array Ltd. 7. Navitus Bay Navitus Bay Development Ltd.8. Atlantic Array Bristol Channel Zone Ltd.9. Irish Sea Celtic Array - Centrica Energy


Project Description

The Hornsea Zone covers a total area of 4,735km² and is shown in Figure 1. SMart Wind is planning to develop a number of offshore wind farms within the zone that will have a combined capacity of at least 4GW by 2020. This is being achieved by working in partnership with The Crown Estate, local onshore and offshore stakeholders, industry, regulators and the Government.

Project One will have a combined capacity of up to 1.2GW. The offshore wind turbines for Project One will be located in the centre of the Hornsea Zone, covering an area of approximately 70km² (Figure 3).

Figure 3 – Indicative Layouts

smartwind.co.uk Project One Draft Environmental Statement Summary 02 Hornsea Project One Issue 4 – January 2013 03

Depending on the rated capacity of the turbines selected (between 3.6 and 8 megawatts (MW) each), the estimated number of wind turbines will be between 150 and 332. Four indicative turbine layouts are presented in Figure 3. The nearest turbine will be at least 103km from the East Riding of Yorkshire coast. Wind turbines used for Project One will have a maximum rotor diameter of 178m, and maximum rotor tip height of 200m (Figure 4). The United Kingdom has been

set a mandatory national target of achieving 15% of energy consumption to be sourced from renewable energy by 2020, through the EC Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion and use of energy from renewable energy sources (Renewable Energy Directive). On 29th November 2012, the Energy Bill was introduced to the House of Commons. The Energy Bill includes provisions intended to incentivise investment in low carbon electricity generation, ensure

security of supply and help the UK meet its emission reduction and renewables targets.

SMart Wind commissioned a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) study to determine the carbon life cycle emissions which will result from the construction, operation and decommissioning of Project One. A carbon LCA is a method of measuring a product or process’ effect on the environment by assessing the greenhouse gases emitted throughout its lifetime.

The results of the LCA study enable us to demonstrate the carbon payback period for Project One i.e. the period of time it takes for the project to save more greenhouse gas emissions than has been produced by its construction and operation.

Potential emissions savings were determined by calculating the equivalent emissions that would be generated from other forms of electricity generation and comparing the figures calculated for Project One. The payback range for Project One is calculated to be within 4 to 7 years from the start of construction.

Figure 4 – Wind turbines dimensions compared to known landmarks

Project Description Project One Carbon Life Cycle Analysis

Figure 5 – Summary of Project One phases and activities included in the LCA study.


Production of materials

(e.g. Copper, concrete)

Installation of components

Transport of materials to component

manufacturer and assembly

Operation and Maintenance

of Project One

Transport of components

to site

Removal and transport of components

Recycling of components

Electrical Transmission System

The Project One wind turbines will be located over 140Km from the grid connection point at North Killingholme. SMart Wind is proposing to transmit the electricity generated via buried, High Voltage (HV) cables using either Direct Current (DC) or Alternating Current (AC).

The offshore works forming part of the HVDC option will comprise inter-array cabling, offshore HVAC collector stations, offshore HVDC converter station(s) and an export cable route to shore.

The offshore works forming part of the HVAC option will include similar infrastructure to the HVDC option, but with the offshore HVDC converter stations being replaced with an offshore HVAC reactive compensation substation located along the export cable route.

The onshore works for both the HVDC and the HVAC option will

include a landfall site with Transition Joint Bay and an underground cable route from the coast to an nshore substation, located in Killingholme. The only difference between the two options for the onshore works will be that for the

HVDC option the substation will be an HVDC converter station and for the HVAC option it will be an HVAC substation. The schematic for both the HVAC and HVDC option can be seen in Figure 6.

It is important to note that the HVAC transmission option is being considered in addition to the HVDC option, but only one transmission option will be developed during the final design of the project following consent.

Inter-Array Cable

Offshore HVAC


Offshore HVDC

Converter Stations

HVDC Subsea Cable

Landfall

HVDC Cable

HVAC Cable


ExistingOverhead

Line

Onshore HVDC

ConverterStation

North Sea

Offshore HVAC


Offshore HVAC

ReactiveCompensation

Substation

HVAC Subsea Cable Inter-Array CableHVAC Subsea Cable

Landfall

HVAC Cable

HVAC Cable


ExistingOverhead Line

OnshoreHVAC

Substation

North Sea

Main components of HVAC transmission system

Main components of HVDC transmission system Figure 6 - A schematic diagram to show the differences between the HVAC and HVDC option

The Phase 1 and 2 consultation phases, undertaken by SMart Wind in 2011, have been instrumental in guiding the decision process to select an offshore and onshore cable route and a location for the onshore HVDC converter station / HVAC substation near North Killingholme.

Following the Phase 2 consultation, SMart Wind also conducted various environmental surveys along the chosen cable route corridor to identify whether there should be any alterations to the route alignment. The chosen route and location for the onshore HVDC converter station / HVAC substation represents the least impact in terms of environmental and engineering issues. Figure 7 shows the onshore cable route.

The Onshore Grid Connection


Figure 7

TREES AND SHRUBS

TREES AND SHRUBS

Figure 8

Project OneTrees and Shrubs

Depending on which transmission option is chosen, the onshore substation will either be an HVAC substation or an HVDC converter station.

The detailed building design of the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation has not yet been confirmed. The maximum dimensions of the proposed HVDC converter/HVAC substation boundary are 200m length x 150m width with no building within the footprint exceeding 120m x 72m x 24m height. This will include a landscaping buffer, which will be planted within the red line boundary shown in Figure 8, to mitigate any potential visual impacts of any of the buildings within the proposed HVDC converter/HVAC substation boundary.

Figures 9 and 10 show a visual representation of an indicative worst case onshore HVDC converter station and onshore HVAC substation design at the chosen site. These figures represent the worst case scenario which has been assessed in the Draft Environmental Statement.

The Onshore HVDC Converter/ HVAC Substation

Figure 10 – Visual representation of an indicative worst case onshore HVAC substation

Figure 9 – Visual representation of an indicative worst case onshore HVDC converter station


Site Selection

SMart Wind recognises the importance of selecting spatial boundaries and design envelope parameters for the various offshore and onshore components based on careful consideration of technical, environmental, engineering, economic and stakeholder concerns. These components include, but are not limited to, the Hornsea Zone boundary, location of Project One wind turbines, the associated offshore and onshore cable route encompassing the landfall, and the onshore HVDC converter station/HVAC substation. The location of the grid connection point for Project One was determined by National Grid through the Grid Connection Application Process.

SMart Wind’s approach to the Hornsea Zone and Project One is based on early engagement with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory stakeholders.

The four phases of consultation designed by SMart Wind have provided genuine opportunities for stakeholders to review and influence the relevant spatial and project design decisions throughout the process of project development. For example, the alignment of the export cable route and selection of onshore HVDC converter station/HVAC substation site has been influenced by stakeholder feedback from Phase 1 and Phase 2 Consultation Events.

“The input by stakeholders into the selection process for the onshore HVDC converter station/HVAC substation site has demonstrated the value of our consultation process."


The Consenting Process

The Planning Act 2008 made significant changes to the planning system applicable to offshore wind farm development. Each wind farm within the Hornsea Zone is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) because it will have a generating capacity of greater than 100MW. Project One comprises up to three wind farms and therefore up to three NSIPs.

Prior to the adoption of the Localism Act in April 2012, the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) was the examining authority for NSIPs; however the examination function has now been transferred to the Planning Inspectorate, an Executive Agency of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The decision to grant consent for any project within the Hornsea Zone will be made by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

Decisions on applications for development consent will be taken in accordance with the National Policy Statements (NPSs) on Energy which set out planning policy in relation to energy infrastructure, including offshore wind. The six Energy NPSs were designated by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the 18 July 2011.

SMart Wind have produced an Environmental Statement for all offshore and onshore works associated with each project within the Hornsea Zone. The Environmental Statement will form one part of the documentation required to support an application for development consent and sets out how SMart Wind will minimise the potential impact of the project on the environment. The main application documents, reports and plans for Project One are available for review and comment as part of the Phase 4 Consultation.



Phase 1 Consultation Event

The EIA process involves the collection of environmental data through consultation with relevant statutory consultees, desk top studies and site surveys. This data informs the description of the baseline environment within the Environmental Statement. An impact assessment is then completed based on this information to determine whether any impact associated with Project One’s development is predicted to adversely affect the environment.

The EIA is completed by specialist consultants on behalf of SMart Wind including ornithologists, archaeologists, marine biologists, environmental scientists and shipping and aviation experts.

The Environmental Statement for Project One will be submitted along with the application for Development Consent Order. The Draft Environmental

Statement and Development Consent Order are available for comment as part of the Phase 4 Consultation information.

To facilitate some flexibility in project design parameters, the impact assessment considers the impacts arising from a ‘realistic worst-case scenario’ in the EIA. For example, SMart Wind will be applying for consent for 150 to 332 wind turbines based on the use of a range of wind turbine models from 3.6MW to 8MW. Consultation

Phase 1 Consultation took place in March and April 2011 on the overall project and the broad onshore cable route study area. As well as consulting prescribed consultees, over 200 people attended 11 consultation events at village halls and community centres along the three proposed onshore cable corridor options, both north and south of the Humber.

Widespread local TV and newspaper coverage was also received. Overall the response to questionnaires was very positive with 92% of respondents in support of Project One and 98% of respondents stating that they felt better informed as a result of attending the consultation event. Feedback from the consultation events informed the selection of the cable route alignment presented in Figure 7, page 7.

Phase 2 Consultation consisted of eight consultation events in November 2011. Events were held at venues used during Phase 1 Consultation that were in closest proximity to the preferred onshore cable route corridor and other associated onshore development. Feedback from stakeholders, landowners, local residents, businesses and other organisations enabled SMart Wind to select a preferred site for the onshore HVDC converter / HVAC substation from the four options presented during the Phase 2 Consultation events.

Phase 3 Consultation took place in August and September 2012, by correspondence only, to the same parties consulted during Phases 1 and 2. SMart Wind issued the Preliminary Environmental Information Report for review and comment during Phase 3 to give all stakeholders an opportunity to provide detailed feedback based on the information and the

Environmental Impact Assessment work that had been completed at the time.

The Preliminary Environmental Information can be downloaded from: www.smartwind.co.uk

Phase 4 Consultation is the final stage of consultation for Project One and will give all stakeholders the opportunity to review and comment on the main documents and reports that will accompany the application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate in early 2013. Regional events will be held during February 2013 at the same locations used for the Phase 2 Consultation. Invitations to all our stakeholders have been sent out and details about the events have been published locally.

Phase 2 Consultation event at Prince's Quay Shopping cente, Hull


The Draft Environmental Statement (and all Phase 4 consultation documentation) can be downloaded from: www.smartwind.co.uk

Draft Environmental Statement

SMart Wind’s consultation strategy was based around the initial phases of consultation shaping the project design and location. Following completion of these initial stages, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Project One was advanced to a stage where a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) was issued for Phase 3 consultation in August 2012.

Since the Phase 3 consultation concluded, SMart Wind have reviewed and responded to the written comments received about the Preliminary Environmental Impact Report. Some meetings were also arranged with stakeholders where a more detailed discussion was required to inform how SMart Wind could take those stakeholders' comments into consideration. Where relevant, feedback from the Phase 3 consultation has been incorporated into the Draft Environmental Statement for Project One, which has now been published for the Phase 4 Consultation.

The Draft Environmental Statement provides full details of the baseline environment, an assessment of the potential environmental impacts for Project One and incorporates the feedback from stakeholders received throughout all previous consultation phases.

Table 1 identifies the list of chapters included in the Draft Environmental Statement.

Volume 1: Introduction Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Policy and Legislative Context

Chapter 3: Project Description

Chapter 4: Site Selection and Consideration of Alternatives

Chapter 5: Environmental Impact Assessment Methodology

Volume 4: Introduction Technical Annexes

Volume 2: Offshore

Chapter 1: Marine Processes

Chapter 2: Benthic, Subtidal and Intertidal Ecology

Chapter 3: Fish and Shellfish Ecology

Chapter 4: Marine Mammal Ecology

Chapter 5: Ornithology

Chapter 6: Nature Conservation

Chapter 7: Commercial Fisheries

Chapter 8: Shipping and Navigation

Chapter 9: Aviation, Military, and Communications

Chapter 10: Marine Archaeology and Ordnance

Chapter 11: Seascape and Visual Resources

Chapter 12: Infrastructure and Other Users

Chapter 13: Waste Management and Air Quality

Chapter 14: Inter-related Effects Volume 5: Offshore Technical Annexes

Volume 3: Onshore

Chapter 1: Geology and Ground Conditions

Chapter 2: Hydrology and Flood Risk

Chapter 3: Ecology and Nature Conservation

Chapter 4: Landscape and Visual Resources

Chapter 5: Historic Environment

Chapter 6: Land Use, Agriculture and Recreation

Chapter 7: Traffic and Transport

Chapter 8: Noise and Vibration

Chapter 9: Air Quality and Health

Chapter 10: Socio Economics

Chapter 11: Inter-related Effects

Volume 6: Onshore Technical Annexes



The Offshore Physical Environment

Various offshore physical and geotechnical surveys have been undertaken to characterise seabed formations, surface geology, bathymetry (water depth) and seabed sediment type. This information has been used within the assessments to determine the impact of Project One’s offshore components on the physical environment, while also providing valuable information towards the design of foundations and cable installation methods.

A comprehensive 12 month meteorological campaign within the Hornsea Zone has been completed. This has been supplemented with wind data collected from Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) instruments fixed on the Babbage and Schooner gas platforms and through live data streams from the offshore

Meteorological Mast (MetMast) installed in October 2011, the first Round 3 MetMast (picture below) installed in the UK.

Marine Processes

Water depths within the wind farm are generally less than 30m while along the cable route a maximum water depth of 63m has been recorded at the northern extent of Silver Pit. The

dominant sediment types identified within the wind farm area are sand, gravelly sand and sandy gravel. On the cable route corridor, surface sediments comprise sand, gravelly sand and sandy gravel and are mostly less than 1m thick. In general, sediment transport direction within the wind farm area and the cable route corridor is orientated from the southeast to the northwest, perpendicular to the crests of contemporary mobile bedforms.

The assessment of the effects of the project has been sub-divided into three categories, namely effects on the: (i) hydrodynamic regime; (ii) wave regime; and (iii) sediment regime. Changes to any of these regimes may be manifest through changes to the seabed and/or shoreline morphology.

The asssessment of changes to marine process regimes has indicated that the offshore infrastructure of Project One will not cause any significant changes to

physical receptors during the construction and operational phase of the offshore wind farm.

Marine processes are not in themselves receptors in all cases, but changes to these processes may have an impact on sensitive receptors. The impact assessment describes the potential changes to marine processes due to Project One and has informed the assessment of potential impacts within other EIA topics, for example benthic ecology.


Hornsea Offshore Met Mast

Met Ocean Buoy within the Hornsea Zone

The Offshore Biological Environment

Ornithology

SMart Wind has undertaken 24 months of boat-based surveys of seabirds and marine mammals across the Project One offshore area and the wider Hornsea

Zone, completing this two year period in February 2012. A total of 37 seabird species were identified. The three most frequently recorded species in Project One offshore area were guillemot, kittiwake and razorbill.

The impact assessment on seabird species has been designed around regulatory guidance and industry best practice. The main impacts assessed include displacement, collision risk and barrier impacts. Based on analysis of the Year 1 and Year 2 data, it is concluded that the impact of any collision risk, displacement or barrier impacts resulting from Project One on the bird species recorded would be low and that effects were not considered significant for the majority of seabird species.

Marine Mammal Ecology

The visual marine mammal data collected during the two year boat based surveys was supplemented with acoustic data acquired by towed hydrophones. A total of six marine mammal species were recorded: harbour

porpoise; white-beaked dolphin; bottlenose dolphin; minke whale; harbour seal and grey seal. The impact assessment includes the effects of increased vessel traffic during construction and operation, increased suspended sediment concentrations and underwater noise from foundation piling and other construction activities (e.g. cable installation). All impacts, except for those resulting from underwater noise from foundation piling, are considered to be not significant in EIA terms.

The effects on marine mammals resulting from underwater noise from foundation piling is assessed as moderate adverse. SMart Wind is working with JNCC and underwater noise modelling specialists to inform the construction design methods and the key components of a Marine Mammal Mitigation Protocol to reduce this impact to acceptable levels.

Hornsea Project One Issue 4 – January 2013 15

Kittiwakes

Bird SurveyGrey Seal

Minke Whale

Benthic Intertidal and Subtidal Ecology

Benthic ecology refers to the communities of flora and fauna which live on or in the seabed and the relationships that they have with each other and with the physical environment. To characterise the benthic ecology within the offshore Project One area, desk-based studies and site-specific surveys were undertaken and involved seabed grab sampling, seabed video surveillance and scientific trawling.

The seabed within Project One supports a variety of benthic communities that are characteristic of the southern North Sea. The distribution of these habitats is related to varying physical factors such as water depth, tidal conditions and thermal stability at the seabed. Key habitats include shallow coarse sediment supporting catworm, sea urchin and

amphipods together with comparatively deeper water fine sand habitats characterised by polychaete worms. Overlying these sediment habitats are assemblages of larger, more mobile species characterised by brown shrimp, hermit crab, flying crab, common starfish and brittlestars.

Impacts assessed include increases in suspended sediment concentrations, habitat loss and behavioural impacts from electromagnetic fields from inter-array and export cables. With the proposed mitigation measures in place, the majority of the impacts assessed result in effects of either negligible or minor adverse significance which is not significant in EIA terms. Cumulative impacts from aggregate extraction activities, other offshore wind farm developments, commercial fishing, and oil and gas installations have been assessed and are predicted to result in

effects of negligible or minor adverse significance upon subtidal and intertidal benthic communities. Due to the small development footprint on the seabed and considering proposed mitigation, such as the development of a Code of Construction Practice, it is predicted that Project One will not have a significant impact on benthic ecology.

Fish and Shellfish Ecology

Characterisation studies identified a wide range of fish species as expected for the southern North Sea and Humber Estuary. Species included those of conservation importance, commercial value and species which are of ecological importance for other marine species in the region (i.e. prey species for birds and marine mammals). Key species identified within the offshore Project One study area included herring, plaice, cod, sandeel, brown crab and lobster.

Several species were also reported as having spawning and/or nursery habitats around Project One however the wind farm and cable route corridor area show low spawning intensity. High intensity spawning grounds for the majority of species are located to the north and/or east of the Hornsea Zone.

Potential impacts assessed included habitat loss due to the footprint of Project One, increases in suspended sediments and sediment deposition, behavioural impacts due to electromagnetic fields from inter-array and export cables and disturbance to important spawning areas based on underwater noise modelling.



All effects associated with construction, operation and decommissioning of Project One were found to be negligible or minor adverse. As such, none of the potential impacts and associated effects arising from Project One are considered to be significant.

Nature Conservation

There are a number of sites designated as being important for nature conservation interests in the southern North Sea region. These include sites of international, national and local importance. The Nature Conservation assessment draws upon the information provided in the individual marine ecology chapters including benthic subtidal and intertidal ecology, fish and shellfish ecology, marine mammals and birds. The export cable for Project One crosses the Humber Estuary Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a site designated for the following

habitats: ‘Estuaries’ and ‘Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide’.

The assessment concludes that there should be no significant effects on designated nature conservation interests as a result of Project One.

The Offshore Human Environment

Commercial Fishing

A detailed characterisation of fisheries activity has been undertaken on a country by country basis for the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Norway. Key commercial species identified within the Project One study area include sole, plaice, sprat, sandeel, herring, whiting, lobster, brown crab and brown shrimp. UK, Danish, Dutch and German vessels have recorded landings at locations within the Project One area.

The assessment has taken account of effects of Project One upon commercial fisheries including aspects such as exclusion from fishing grounds, displacement, gear snagging and ecological effects upon target species. Cumulative effects on fish and shellfish communities from other projects in the southern North Sea were also assessed, including cumulative disturbance or loss of seabed habitats from other offshore wind farms and aggregate extraction activities in the region.

For the majority of the impacts it is not anticipated that Project One

will have a significant effect. It is expected that through effective communication such as Notice to Mariners, the potential impacts on commercial fishing can be addressed through early communication of survey activities in the development phase and agreed codes of practice during the construction and operational phases.

Shipping and Navigation

To determine the shipping density within the study area for Project One, Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Radar surveys have been completed. Marine traffic surveys identified ten main routes operating within a 10NM buffer around the wind farm area with a variety of vessel types transiting between 1 and 4 times per day. The majority of these were commercial cargo vessels and tankers. Only one passenger ferry intersects with the boundary of the Project One turbine area, namely the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry route operated by DFDS.


Commercial Fishing Vessel

Push Net Surveying

Levels of recreational activity were noted as low in comparison to national levels. Fishing vessels were recorded transiting through the area as well as engaged in fishing.

The marine traffic survey identified eight main routes operating within a 10NM buffer around the proposed offshore HVAC reactive substation location with a variety of vessel types transiting between 1 and 13 times per day. Levels of recreational activity were noted as low in comparison to national levels and fishing vessel activity was mainly located south west of the site.

Navigational Risk Assessments (NRA) to assess the risk to vessel safety during the construction and operation of the offshore components of Project One, including an assessment of the proposed location for the offshore HVAC reactive compensation substation along the cable route, have been completed. For the

wind farm area, the worst case scenario assessed includes bridge links between platforms.

This assessment also identifies mitigations including site design and further consultation with regulators to bring risks within acceptable levels.

Aviation, Military and Communications

Helicopter Main Routes (HMRs) across the North Sea are in place for the purpose of supporting the safe transport of personnel and equipment to offshore installations during

poor weather conditions. Currently, one such HMR intersects the eastern boundary of Project One's wind turbine area. A proposal to realign this HMR has been presented to aviation stakeholders which would ensure an obstacle free corridor through the Hornsea Zone for the safe passage of helicopters.

Consultation zones of 9NM around three existing gas platforms (Saturn, Mimas and Schooner platforms) intersect with the boundary of Project One. SMart Wind has concluded that in certain weather conditions radar approaches may be restricted.

Following dialogue with individual operators to determine specific operational requirements, it is anticipated that there will not be any significant impacts due to Project One.

Project One is not predicted to have an impact on air traffic control radar along the east coast of England such as the NATS En-Route Limited Claxby and Cromer primary surveillance radar. Radar modelling was completed and NATS have confirmed this through pre application consultation.

Potential impacts on the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) defence radars located at Staxton Wold and Trimingham have also been assessed. MOD have confirmed that there will be no significant impact on defence radar operations. Project One is not predicted to impact upon maritime communication devices including cellular telephones, satellite communications, VHF radio, television and offshore microwave fixed links.

Marine Archaeology and Ordnance

Various sources were consulted to identify archaeological records within the vicinity of offshore elements of Project One, these included United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) wreck and obstruction records, Admiralty Charts and the National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE).This information was then supplemented by the results of geophysical survey data collected by SMart Wind in 2011 and 2012. A total of eight anomalies ascribed a “high” archaeological potential rating, classified as shipwrecks are located within the boundaries of the wind farm and the cable route. In consultation with English Heritage, the implementation of an industry standard Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) will ensure protection of known archaeological sites through the

implementation of appropriate exclusion zones. Project One is not expected to have any significant effects on marine historic environment given that identified potential effects are all assessed to be either negligible or minor adverse.

There is a potential risk that the Project One study area is contaminated with unexploded ordnance. Detailed specialist assessments of risk and appropriate responses are ongoing. If ordnance is encountered during construction, it will be reported to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and managed according to the procedures of the military authorities or the Joint Services Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operation Centre (JSEODOC).

Seascape and Visual Resources

The Project One wind turbines are located 103km from the East Riding of Yorkshire coast and they will not be visible from the shore.

If the HVAC transmission option is selected, the offshore HVAC reactive compensation

substation would be located approximately 53km from the shore. At this distance there would be no views from lower lying onshore locations. On higher land, approximately 68 to 75km from the offshore HVAC reactive compensation substation, research has shown that the structure would be invisible to the naked eye given the distances involved. The Project One offshore infrastructure will not be seen from shore and therefore will have no visual impact on land based observers.

A seascape assessment has concluded that Project One offshore infrastructure will have a low impact on sea based observers, given the temporary duration of the impact on moving observers, such as fishing and commercial vessels.



Gas Platform with Helicopter Access

Commercial Shipping Vessel


Infrastructure and Other Marine Users

This assessment examines the impact on existing marine infrastructure and other users within the vicinity of Project One that are not described individually. Project One includes within its design, measures to mitigate impacts to a level where they are not significant. As such, no significant impacts are predicted for recreational users, the dredging and aggregates industries or future Carbon Capture & Storage sites.

Through continued ongoing consultation with oil and gas operators, Department of Energy and Climate Change and Oil & Gas UK, it is anticipated that any potential interaction between the Project One offshore infrastructure and current gas exploration or production activities will be managed through early dialogue prior to licence award.

The cable route will cross four existing pipelines. SMart Wind are working with the pipeline operators to develop pipeline crossing agreements which will ensure that there are no significant impacts to these pipelines.

Air Quality and Waste Management

A number of existing and commissioned studies were used to inform this assessment. Examples of publically available information include Defra’s UK-AIR (data from the monitoring station in Hull Freetown) and meteorological data from the Royal Air Force (RAF) Donna Nook monitoring station. In addition to this SMart Wind commissioned a Life Cycle Analysis study (as described on page 5) to determine the potential carbon emissions resulting from the construction of Project One.

The conclusions to the assessment show that no significant effects have been identified from Project One development considering all stages of the project life cycle i.e. construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning phases.

Offshore Inter-related Effects

Offshore inter-related effects are considered either where a single effect acts on a receptor over time to produce a potential additive effect or where a number of separate effects, such as noise and habitat loss, affect a single receptor. For example, the assessment considers whether and how the impact of construction noise associated with piling turbine foundations and construction vessel activity has an effect on marine mammals.

Overall, the inter-related assessment for the offshore components of Project One did not identify any significant inter-related effects.



The Onshore Physical Environment

Geology and Ground Conditions

There are unlikely to be any significant effects during the construction phase on bedrock geology, ground conditions and groundwater quality. The bedrock underlying the onshore components of Project One is chalk, overlain by superficial deposits (the youngest geologically). The chalk is a principal aquifer, while perched groundwater in secondary aquifers may be present in the superficial deposits along parts

of the cable route. There are no nearby designated geological sites and therefore the most sensitive receptors are the principal aquifer, its associated public abstractions and Source Protection Zone (SPZ), and private groundwater abstractions, followed by superficial aquifers and any associated surface water courses.

Potential impacts on the receptors including surface and groundwater pollution during the construction phase would be temporary and controlled through best practice site management, implemented by a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). The assessment predicts that there are no significant effects resulting from Project One.

Hydrology and Flood Risk

The landfall, cable route and onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation are situated within or

across a number of hydrological catchments, designated main rivers and drainage and irrigation channels maintained by the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards and Lead Local Flood Authorities.

Environment Agency mapping shows that the majority of the proposed development is located within land with less than a 0.1% annual probability of river or sea flooding. Taking into account the adoption of appropriate mitigation measures, the flood risk posed to the Project One development is not considered to be significant.

The range of proposed engineering methods will ensure the sea defence structure is not compromised at the landfall located at Horseshoe Point. In addition, a range of proposed cable route crossing techniques for main and minor water courses are currently being agreed in consultation with key stakeholders.

There are unlikely to be any significant effects on hydrological conditions during the construction, operation or decommissioning phase. Activities on site would be controlled through best practice site management and the implementation of a CEMP during construction.



Cable Route Walk Over

Intertidal area at Horseshoe Point

The Onshore Biological Environment Ecology and Nature Conservation

Habitat and protected species surveys of the cable route, onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation site and surrounding area were commenced in 2011 and were completed in October 2012. The majority of the study area comprises agricultural fields bounded by hedges and drainage ditches, interspersed with small scattered parcels of woodland. Several ponds lie adjacent to the route. The study area also includes limited areas of semi-improved grassland, urban and farm buildings and hard-standing surfaces such as car parks and roads.

At the landfall, areas of saltmarsh and a small cockle bed have been identified and will be avoided as far as possible by the cable route. The cables will be laid in intertidal mud and sands. These environments are subject to constant change and are known to recover quickly from disturbance.

Valued Ecological Receptors are sites, habitats and species of ecological or nature conservation importance that could be significantly affected by a project. Those identified by surveys are:

• Great crested newts – the proposed cable route and onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation site does not directly affect any ponds. Great crested newts were found in only one pond in the study area. Where necessary, mitigation will include measures to prevent the newts straying onto the route during construction. It is therefore considered that there will be no significant effect on great crested newts resulting from cable installation or substation construction.

• Breeding birds – the birds found breeding along the route and at the HVDC converter/HVAC substation sites were

typical farmland birds. There were no breeding territories for the key species associated with the Humber Estuary Special Protection Area (i.e. marsh harrier, little tern, avocet or bittern).

• Bat roosts, badger setts, otter holts, water vole burrows, or areas important for feeding and foraging by these species and suitable reptile habitat have been identified along or in proximity to the onshore cable route so that appropriate mitigation measures can be included in the proposals.

The types of habitat affected have been identified and further surveys undertaken on important habitats such as hedgerows, areas suitable for reptiles and intertidal habitats at the proposed landfall near Horseshoe Point.



Newt

Findings of these ecology surveys have been used to inform the final cable route and onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation design, location, mitigation strategies and impact assessment.

From the survey data gathered cable installation is likely to result in some temporary disturbance to reptiles, water voles, otters, badgers, bats and birds. There may also be some disturbance of woodland habitat. However, taking into account the limited duration and extent of the works, measures adopted as part of the project including planting proposals (e.g. reinstatement planting to enhance hedgerow species diversity and connectivity) and the availability of alternative suitable habitat in adjacent areas, these likely effects are not considered to be significant.


Water Vole

Otter

The Onshore Human Environment

Landscape and Visual Resources

The landscapes within which the cable route and onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation are located are not formally designated. In general they are considered to be of a low sensitivity to the proposed development. However, there are a few places where they are thought to be more sensitive i.e. the intertidal area at the landfall, the area of small fields with mature hedgerows to the north-east of Laceby and an area of small fields and mature hedgerows to the east of East Halton.

The visual receptors considered are residential, users of public rights of way, other tourist receptors, commercial receptors, industrial receptors and dynamic receptors. The magnitude of impact is primarily determined by

distance from the cable route, compounds and side access or onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation. For the cable route it will be those residents, users of public rights of way and people travelling along roads that are impacted by the construction works of the cable route. For the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation it will be both the construction and the operation of the building that will impact upon receptors. It is anticipated that none of the permanent effects on landscape resources or visual receptors will be significant during the operational phase of the project. One property, may experience a moderate to major significant effect during the first year following construction, due to the presence of the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation however these effects will diminish over time as the proposed planting for the landscape screening matures.

During the construction of the cable route and landfall there will be temporary, localised significant impacts on sensitive receptors however, on balance, the effects are considered to be acceptable due to their localised and temporary nature.

Historic Environment

Based on information from a geophysical investigation along the cable route undertaken in 2011, field-walking, analysis of aerial photographs trial-trenching has taken place at targeted locations along the route.

The results of the desk studies and field surveys show that archaeological potential is highest towards eastern and western ends of the route. In particular there are Iron Age/ Roman/Medieval settlement and field systems in the North and South Killingholme areas and widespread remains of medieval and probably earlier salt

production in the area east of Tetney. Remains dating from the Roman period have also been found in North East Lincolnshire.

An intertidal survey revealed few remains within the proposed landfall, while the historic landscape character is largely one of former marshland, now fields.

Appropriate measures to identify sites and/or record archaeology during construction are being developed and will be agreed with the archaeological curators of the relevant Planning Authorities. They will comprise a ‘written scheme of investigation' detailing all the work that would be undertaken prior to and during the construction process. Overall effects of construction on buried archaeological remains range from negligible to moderate adverse.



An assessment has also been undertaken on the settings of designated cultural historic assets. There are six scheduled monuments, 36 listed buildings and one registered park and garden within 5km of the proposed onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation. Effects on these designated heritage assets are not considered to be significant in EIA terms. Operational and decommissioning effects would be confined to changes in setting and these would be very similar to the effects described and assessed for the construction phase.

Land Use, Agriculture and Recreation

The onshore elements of Project One are located within the predominantly open, agricultural landscape of the flat coastal plain, with sparse woodland and hedgerow cover. Soils along the cable route are generally higher quality alluvium soils and lower quality soils developed on the

glacial till. At the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation site, soils are heavy clay loam of lower agricultural quality. The farming of the majority of the land affected by the onshore elements of Project One is dominated by large, predominantly arable farming enterprises, typically comprising in excess of 100ha of land.

At Horseshoe Point, there are broad sand and mud banks above mean low water accessible from the public car park. A permissive path runs on the top of the sea defences at this location and the Humber Wildfowling Club has shooting rights over two ponds to the north of the landfall. From the landfall site the cable route runs to the south of the North Coates Airfield and crosses or runs close to a number of public footpaths and bridleways, some of which form locally valued circular routes such as the Wanderlust Way. Some of the bridleways have good links to

local riding school facilities, none of which are located within the cable corridor. The cable also comes close to other recreational facilities, including fishing at Tetney Lock on the Louth Canal and various holiday accommodation and would cross the corner of the driving range at Laceby Manor Golf Club.

A small area of land from a single farm holding would be permanently lost to the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation, together with small areas from a number of arable holdings from the transition pits and cable

jointing bays. There would also be a temporary loss of a land along the cable route during the construction period. There would be temporary effects on wildfowling at the landfall and the Laceby Manor Golf Driving Range during the construction phase but no significant effects on the use of the grass air strip at North Coates Airfield. Temporary effects on public footpaths and bridleways would be minimised by the use of temporary diversions and the use of management measures which have been incorporated into the project to minimise the disruption to walkers, horse riders and cyclists.


Archaeology Trial Trenching 2012

Traffic and Transport

The transport environmental effects are associated with the temporary movement of construction workers, equipment and materials and abnormal loads. Movements associated with the operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the cable route and onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation are expected to be negligible. A number of measures will be adopted as part of the project to minimise the significance of transport environmental impacts including a CEMP. These measures will ensure that construction sites lead to no material increase in risk for other highway users.

Following mitigation, there is expected to be a temporary and short term minor adverse impact in terms of:

• Driver delay where the cable route crosses the A16;

• A temporary increase in the passage of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) through North Thoresby and Tetney during the construction phase. Although it is expected that there will be restrictions on HGV operating times to avoid school opening and closing periods. Further restrictions on HGV operating times are proposed on the B1210 in the vicinity of Immingham, again to avoid school opening and closing times.

• Transportation of abnormal loads to the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation site during the construction phase, although the effect will be minimised through proper planning and management of the movements.

All transport environmental effects during the operational phase will be negligible.The assessment of cumulative schemes and in particular the

major development at ABLE Marine Energy Park indicates that there will be no significant new or exacerbated transport environmental impacts resulting from cumulative scheme impacts.

Noise and Vibration

The range of background noise levels were recorded by SMart Wind in the proximity of the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation during 2011. Given the transient and intermittent nature of noise during construction, it is estimated that localised effects will be temporary and are not considered to be significant.

Noise levels emanating from the operation of the onshore infrastructure are predicted to be below current background levels.

Project One includes measures to control construction noise impacts, including the implementation of a CEMP. Taking these measures into

account, the results of the noise and vibration assessment indicate that the effects from the construction of the cable route and the HVDC converter/HVAC substation are not expected for, the most part, to be significant. Some increased effects are expected where Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) will be used where residential receptors are less than 300m from the construction works. However, it should be noted that these are temporary effects.

Detailed modelling of the HVDC converter/HVAC substation indicates that the significance of effects due to the operation and decommissioning of the project would be negligible.

Air Quality and Health

The main potential impact on air quality is dust released during construction. Existing air quality in the project area is good, with monitored concentrations of fine

particles well below the objectives set by the National Air Quality Strategy. The significance of dust effects associated with construction activity after implementation of the proposed control measures including a dust management plan would be negligible and would not cause these objectives to be exceeded. The levels of dust would also be significantly below the suggested level at which ecological receptors would be affected.

Consideration has also been given to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields arising from HVDC or HVAC cables and the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substation. A conservative assessment of the potential electric and magnetic field strength from the Project One and the cumulative impacts of Projects One and Two developments during the operational phase has been undertaken. The anticipated EMF strengths that would be

generated by the proposed infrastructure fall well within the relevant guideline public exposure values, which are set below the established thresholds for harmful health effects published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the UK Health Protection Agency.

Socio Economics

The assessment has considered a number of economic effects including:

• The level of employment created by construction, operation and decommissioning activity and the wealth that this creates across the UK and locally;

• The extent to which people living within the local impact area are able to access this employment and in conjunction with this, the extent to which the development could make a contribution to tackling socio

economic problems such as high rates of unemployment locally;

• The level of additional demand that could be created locally for housing and services if some of the employment created as a result of the development was taken by people from outside of the local area; and

• The effects on tourism and recreation during the construction and operation phases.

At this stage, it is difficult to predict how financing associated with constructing and operating the wind farm would be distributed geographically. The most notable changes are associated with the creation of employment and the potential to improve access to jobs for residents in the local impact area and generate wealth locally and across the UK more widely.

Onshore Inter-related Effects

Onshore inter-related effects may occur where a number of separate effects, e.g. noise and air quality, affect a single receptor such as the local community. Impacts related to traffic, air quality (dust), noise and a change in views (visual impacts) could collectively affect the dwellings closest to the project. Users of public rights of way (PRoW) and other linear routes such as the permissive path along the sea defences could be affected by temporary closures of paths during construction, noise and changes in views (visual impacts). The potential for inter-related effects are expected to be most noticeable for people living in dwellings closest to the HVAC converter/HVDC substation, users of public rights of way (PRoW) and beach users however the potential for these effects will be greatest during the temporary construction phase of the project.





Growth For The Region

Socio Economics

The construction and operation of Project One has the potential to positively impact the local region. The growth in the region due to the offshore wind industry is centred on the supply chain for the construction and operation of such projects. Since the last project update the offshore wind energy industry has been in the

headlines, in both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Supply chain growth and job creation are however dependent on Round 3 offshore wind farm projects such as the Hornsea Zone gaining consent and being built.

Green Port Hull Development

On 9th May 2012, Hull City Council approved the plans

submitted by Siemens and Associated British Ports (ABP) to construct a new Siemens offshore wind turbine manufacturing and export facility at ABP’s proposed Green Port Hull development at Alexandra Dock (see Figure 12).

Siemens intends to produce its new direct-drive offshore wind turbine with a capacity of 6MW at the new facility and, in doing so, places the Humber at the centre of the UK’s wind turbine supply chain, potentially creating up to 700 direct jobs with additional potential within the supply chain.It is important to note that the SMart Wind partnership between International Mainstream Renewable Power (Offshore) Limited and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH is not linked with the proposed manufacturing facility.

ABLE Marine Energy Park (AMEP)

AMEP proposes a purpose built facility for the emerging offshore

wind sector and is set to create over 4,000 direct jobs on the South Humber Bank.The combination of the scale (c 325ha) and location (central to major North Sea wind farms) provides a singular opportunity to establish a large and integrated wind industry cluster. Such a cluster would be capable of supporting multiple turbine manufacturers and their supply chain(s), potentially providing a wide range of socio economic benefits.

The development of AMEP represents a significant project with the very real potential to address a number of key policy objectives in the context of both local and national policies and expectations. The potential of AMEP is fully recognised by Government - it is within the UK’s largest Enterprise Zone and is central within the strategies adopted by both North Lincolnshire Council and the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership.

Figure 12 – Proposed ABP Port Development


SMart Wind aims to submit the Project One consent application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) in the second quarter of 2013. Subject to approval, construction is likely to commence at the earliest in 2015.

When Will The Project Be Built?

Project One Timeline 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Scoping

Phase 1 Consultation EventsPhase 2 Consultation EventsPhase 3 Consultation EventsPhase 4 Consultation EventsEnvironmental Impact AssessmentDraft of Environmental Statement and DCOSubmission of DCODecision by PINS


Figure 11 - Project One timeline

Indicative artist's impression

As the only truly supply-chain-led consortium in The Crown Estate’s Round 3 Offshore wind programme, the SMart Wind partners have established a number of initiatives aimed at both awareness-raising and sector-attraction within schools and higher education institutions.

SMart Futures Schools’ Programme

SMart Wind’s award-winning Community Schools’ programme, SMart Futures, goes from strength to strength. It is raising awareness about climate change and the need for energy security from low-carbon sources as well as encouraging Year 9 pupils (13 & 14 years old) to consider the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) as a good basis for accessing careers in the renewable energy industry.

Overall, 42 schools from North and South of the Humber Estuary have participated in SMart Futures, with almost 8,000 pupils & teachers attending awareness-raising presentations and over 3,000 students and teachers engaging in practical, hands-on technical workshops related to wind energy. Going beyond its original remit, SMart Futures has been introduced into

a Special Needs School near Hull, as well as at the 2011 World Skills Event at the London Excel Conference Centre. SMart Futures was designed by SMart Wind in collaboration with STEMNET and Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA), the 2012 winner of the Humber Renewables Award for “Delivering Excellence in Training & Education”.

On Friday 11th May 2012, attendees at Hornsea School’s annual Green Britain Day were joined by the Chairman of the Government’s Education Select Committee, Conservative MP, Graham Stuart, to support the SMart Futures Year 2 Awards Ceremony.

Higher Education & University Collaboration

The SMart Wind partners have collaborations underway with local universities, including University of Lincoln and University of Hull, all with a view to maximising their contribution to industry growth through the supply of suitably qualified engineers and the provision of relevant, credible and applied research on a timely basis.


SMart Futures, and University Collaboration

Growth For The Region


Climate Change Minister Greg Barker with students at Hornsea School

Education Select Committee Chairman, Graham Stuart speaking at Hornsea School

The development continues to make significant progress and the examination period for the Planning Application ended on 24th November 2012. The final determination by the Secretary of State for Transport will be issued before the end of May 2013. Subject to a positive determination, the construction of 1,300m of deep water quays could commence in mid 2014 and the site could be fully operational in 2016.

Both the proposed Green Port Hull and AMEP development have been met with overwhelming support across the wider Humber region and are supported by SMart Wind. In addition, 350 jobs will be created by Siemens in Manchester through the development of an HVDC emulation facility.

SMart Wind is a member of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce which is uniting North and South bank aspirations behind a single Local Enterprise Partnership.

Local Enterprise Partnership and Enterprise Zone

The Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (Humber LEP) is becoming more established, with activities broadening to support key sectors, including a significant emphasis on renewable energy which is recognised as having potential to deliver growth & local economic benefit. Specifically, a five-year Renewables Delivery Plan will be finalised in 2013 defining key activities.

To date, the Humber LEP has already been successful in securing £30m of Regional Growth Funding which will support local business to grow, assist new business looking to locate in the area, and support research & development into skills & infrastructure opportunities.

Accordingly, companies are already being selected to receive a portion of the £7m Business Loan Fund, in place to stimulate growth in local companies and the local economy in general.

Going forward, Humber LEP will act as an umbrella organisation bringing together local authorities and businesses from North and South of the River Humber. Under this single brand, the region will continue to promote the regional renewable energy offering at key local and national events. Similarly, on an international level, the Humber area is being supported by central government to attract inward investment through award of Centres of Renewable Engineering (CORE) status.

Figure 13 – Proposed ABLE Port Development

Hull

Killingholme

The Scoping Report for the second project within the Hornsea Zone was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) in October 2012, triggering the start of the formal pre-application process for Project Two. The Scoping Report includes a description of proposed works, the likely predicted impacts on the environment and the methods that will be used during the EIA process.

Since National Grid confirmed in September 2011 that additional capacity can be connected at North Killingholme, SMart Wind is proposing to co-locate the onshore HVDC converter/HVAC substations for both Project One and Project Two. The Statement of Community Consultation was published in December 2012. As Project One and Project Two have the same grid connection route, environmental and engineering surveys undertaken to date have been designed to cover the combined footprint

suitable for both projects. SMart Wind have synchronised the next phase of consultation for Project One with Project Two to ensure the process of developing the projects simultaneously is clearly set out and understood.

Project Description

Project Two comprises ‘Subzone 2’ of the Hornsea Zone (Figure 15), the inter-array cables, offshore accommodation platforms, offshore HVAC collector substations, offshore HVDC converter station(s) or offshore HVAC reactive compensation substation, the offshore export cable route to landfall, the onshore cable route to the grid connection point and the grid connection infrastructure(including an onshore HVDC converter station or HVAC substation). Project Two will have a generating capacity of up to 1,800MW. Larger turbines (5MW to 15MW) have been proposed and it is anticipated that there will

be between 80 and 360 wind turbines within Subzone 2 (Figure 15). A maximum upper blade tip height of 276m above the lowest astronomical tide will be assessed with a maximum 250m rotor diameter.

Consultation

SMart Wind has adopted a two phase consultation approach for Project Two. This first phase of consultation in February 2013 is

aligned with the fourth phase of consultation for Project One.The second phase of consultation, expected to take place in Summer 2013, will present the Preliminary Environmental Information for Project Two. This will report the initial stages of site selection and impact assessment for the various project elements. It will also include any subsequent refinements to the project as a consequence of the EIA process.

Project Two Timeline 2012 2013 2014 2015 – 2019

Scoping

Phase 1 Consultation EventsPhase 2 Consultation EventsEnvironmental Impact AssessmentSubmission of DCO

Decision by PINS

Construction

Figure 14 - Indicative Project Two timeline

Introduction to Project Two

smartwind.co.uk Project Two Introduction 32

Figure 15 – Location of Project Two


Project One Project TwoHornsea Zone International BoundaryProject One and ProjectTwo shared Cable Route


EC2Y 5DN

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 5500 Freephone: 0800 285 1295 Email: [email protected]


By registering on the SMart Wind website, you can select to receive



Project One

Consultation Report

Annex 16

Media Coverage



July 2013

SMart Wind Limited

11th Floor

140 London Wall

London

EC2Y 5DN

Tel 0207 7765500


Copyright © 2013


Liability





Date July 2013



Penny Pickett

Rachael Mills

Rosemary Tingle

Liam Leahy

Sheelagh Guilmartin

Ditte Bilde


4 November 2011 11www.fishingnews.co.uk TRAWLER

Carter Ltd supplied the original two-ton trawl winch.

However, two new topping winches have been installed for operating the derricks, both having a hydraulic brake system to prevent the derricks falling down when problems may occur, a fail-safe method.

“The derricks came from a boat at Brixham; and the A-frames and gantry were made by myself.

“I also made a new stainless steel exhaust and have lined the fish room with glassfibre. I have forward accommodation for two and, in the wheelhouse, I have fitted the best electronics that I could afford.

Furuno sets were chosen for the sounder and radar, a trusty old Shipmate track plotter too, a new GPS compass and access for a laptop computer, so I should be ok,” explained Tony Edwards.

“There is very little corrosion or wear on the boat besides a slight bit of ‘pitting’ at the waterline.

“Because everything is now beefed-up to take the heavy load, wherever necessary I have welded sacrificial irons.

“I will keep the same registration numbers and although I’m a Cornishman and will work when I can from Millbrook, I plan to land mainly to Plymouth Trawler Agents – of which I am a shareholder.

“I’m hoping to take on a crewman in the near future but here it’s difficult to find good

crew. I have worked a scalloper on my own, that’s not what I want but having to work single handed has been taken into account.”

Used recently to carry out a float test and look at the trim of Freedom, the future of the rusty old dry-dock barge is uncertain.

“I don’t really know,” said Tony Edwards. “After the launch I would like to see it repaired and used again, but it might go for scrap as steel is fetching a high price at the moment and it is good steel.”Tony Edwards has installed an auxiliary generator to deliver 24 and 240 volt

Spencer Carter supplied the original 2t trawl winch and now two new topping winches have been installed

Phase 2 Consultation EventsSMart Wind is pleased to invite all members of the public to a series of Consultation Events as detailed. The purpose of these events is to give an opportunity for all stakeholders and communities

Following feedback from Phase 1 Early Options Consultation Events in March and April 2011, SMart Wind has narrowed down three initial

windfarm(s) to National Grid’s substation at North Killingholme down to a single route, south of the River Humber.

The events will include information boards, interactive computer visualisations and presentations by the development team. Details

the route alignment of the export cable route south of the River Humber in Lincolnshire via a number of potential converter station locations near Killingholme, to the existing Killingholme North

organisations, will be in attendance to answer questions and provide information.


This stage will focus on the draft Development Consent Order (DCO) and associated application documentation which will be submitted to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) in summer 2012. The IPC is the Government body that considers applications for major infrastructure proposals.

The Project

SMart Wind is a 50/50 joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH.

The company has been established to develop the 4GW Hornsea Zone which SMart Wind was awarded through

The Crown Estate Round 3 bid process in December 2009.

Invitation to Consultation EventBe part of the journey

Hull

Killingholme

SMart Wind Limited 11th Floor, 140 London Wall, London EC2Y 5DN, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 5500 Or: +44 (0) 800 285 1295Email: [email protected] www.smartwind.co.uk

Venue Date TimeNorth Killingholme Village Hall Tuesday 2pm – 8pm Village Green, North Killingholme. 8 November DN40 3LXImmingham Civic Centre - Wednesday 2pm – 8pm Lyndsey Suite, Pelham Road, 9 NovemberImmingham. DN40 1QF Holton le Clay Church Hall Thursday 2pm – 8pm Church Lane, Holton le Clay. 10 November DN36 5AL Princes Quay Shopping Centre Friday 11am – 6pm Kingston-upon-Hull. 11 November HU1 2PQ Laceby Community Centre Saturday 11am – 4pm High Street. DN37 7AA 12 NovemberGrimsby Town Hall - Town Hall Square, Tuesday 2pm – 8pm Grimsby. DN31 1HX 15 NovemberNorth Cotes Village Hall Wednesday 2pm – 8pm Lock Road, North Cotes. 16 November DN36 5UP East Halton Village Hall Thursday 2pm – 8pm East Halton. DN40 3NS 17 November

CommentsIf you have any comments you would like to make regarding our Phase 2 consultation, please use the contact details below. We must receive your comments by 16th December 2011 to ensure that they are taken into consideration. Comments received by SMart Wind will be recorded for the purposes of preparing our Consultation Report and may be made public.

If you are a prescribed consultee for the project under the Planning Act 2008, you will receive consultation information by post prior to commencement of the Phase 2 Consultation Events.


Project One

Consultation Report

Annex 17

PINS Regulation 24 Notice



July 2013

SMart Wind Limited

11th Floor

140 London Wall

London

EC2Y 5DN

Tel 0207 7765500


Copyright © 2013


Liability





Date July 2013



Penny Pickett

Rachael Mills

Rosemary Tingle

Liam Leahy

Sheelagh Guilmartin

Ditte Bilde


PLANNING ACT 2008 (AS AMENDED) (THE PLANNING ACT)REGULATION 24 OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING(ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) REGULATIONS2009 (AS AMENDED) (THE EIA REGULATIONS)NOTIFICATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT DEVELOPMENTLIKELY TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON THEENVIRONMENT IN ANOTHER EEA STATEPROPOSED HORNSEA OFFSHORE WIND FARM (ZONE 4) –PROJECT ONESMart Wind (the applicant), has formally notified the Secretary ofState, of its intention to submit an Environmental Statement.The proposed development is located in the central region of the NorthSea, approximately 103km off the East Riding of Yorkshire coast andcomprises an offshore generating station (wind farm) with up to 332turbines and associated infrastructure with a maximum generatingcapacity of 1.2GW.Information about the proposed development and about its likelysignificant effects is available in the scoping report and scoping opinionwhich are available:

Electronically on the Planning Inspectorate’s website:

http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/yorkshire-and-the-humber/hornsea-offshore-wind-farm-zone-4-project-one/

and in hard copy at the following location:

The Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol,BS1 6PN

Based on the current information provided by the applicant to theSecretary of State, and applying a precautionary approach, theSecretary of State is of the view that the proposed development islikely to have significant effects on the environment in Belgium,Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, The Netherlands and Norway.In accordance with Regulation 24 of the EIA Regulations the Secretaryof State has provided information to the above mentioned EEA Statesabout the proposed development and its likely significant effects, andthese States have been asked to indicate by 24 April 2013 whether ornot they wish to participate in the procedure for examining anddetermining the application under the Planning Act and Regulation24 of the EIA Regulations. Regulation 24 of the EIA Regulationstransposes Article 7 of EU Directive 85/337/EC as amended into UKLaw.The proposed development is currently at the pre-application stage ofthe process. The applicant has not yet submitted an application to theSecretary of State. If the application is accepted for examination, theapplication will be examined in public and, subject to the provisionsof the Planning Act, the examination must be completed within aperiod of 6 months. Further information about how to participate inthe examination procedure under the Planning Act and the way inwhich the Secretary of State will notify and consult EEA States inaccordance with Regulation 24 of the EIA Regulations is available onthe Planning Inspectorate’s website: www.planningportal.gov.uk/infrastructure.Following examination of the application and having taken theenvironmental information into consideration, the decision maker mayrefuse development consent or grant development consent. Ifdevelopment consent is granted, this may be subject to requirementswhich, if necessary, will secure measures to avoid, reduce or remedythe likely adverse effects of the proposed development.

Date: 13 March 2013

Signed on behalf of the Planning Inspectorate (1782585)

Department for TransportTOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990THE SECRETARY OF STATE hereby gives notice of the proposalto make an Order under section 247 of the above Act to authorise thestopping up of a length of Fiery Hill Road at Barnt Green, in theDistrict of Bromsgrove.IF THE ORDER IS MADE, the stopping up will be authorised onlyin order to enable development to be carried out in accordance withthe outline planning permission granted to Banner Homes (Midlands)Ltd by Bromsgrove District Council on 24 July 2012 under reference11/0741.COPIES OF THE DRAFT ORDER AND RELEVANT PLAN MAYBE INSPECTED at all reasonable hours during 28 days commencingon 13 March 2013 at Barnt Green Post Office, 63 Hewell Road, BarntGreen, Birmingham B45 8NL and may be obtained free of chargefrom the Secretary of State at the offices of the Department for

Transport (quoting reference NATTRAN/WM/S247/741) at the addressstated below.ANY PERSON MAY OBJECT to the making of the proposed orderwithin the period of 28 days commencing on 13 March 2013 by noticeto the Secretary of State, quoting the above reference, addressed tothe National Transport Casework Team, 2nd Floor, Lancaster House,Hampshire Court, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne,NE4 7YH.

Please note: - Should you wish to object, the information you havegiven us and your personal data will be passed to the applicant toenable us to deal with the issues you have brought to our attention.If you do not wish your personal data to be forwarded to the applicantplease state this when submitting your objection and outline the reasonswhy. Where a stopping up Order becomes the subject of a PublicInquiry (PI), all correspondence is copied to the Inspector conductingthe Inquiry and is kept in the PI Library where it is publicly available.

Sandra ZamenzadehOn behalf of the Department for Transport (1782592)

Department for TransportTOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990THE SECRETARY OF STATE hereby gives notice of the proposalto make an Order under section 247 of the above Act to authorise thestopping up of an irregular shaped area of highway which lies adjacentto the southern boundary of Nos. 1 & 2 Weetman Gardens atNottingham, in the City of Nottingham.IF THE ORDER IS MADE, the stopping up will be authorised onlyin order to enable development to be carried out in accordance withthe planning permission granted to Nottingham City Homes byNottingham City Council on 21 December 2012 under reference 12/03009/PFUL3 (PP-02265601).COPIES OF THE DRAFT ORDER AND RELEVANT PLAN MAYBE INSPECTED at all reasonable hours during 28 days commencingon 13 March 2013 at Nottingham City Council, Loxley House, StationStreet, Nottingham, NG2 3NG and may be obtained free of chargefrom the Secretary of State at the offices of the Department forTransport (quoting reference NATTRAN/EM/S247/787) at the addressstated below.ANY PERSON MAY OBJECT to the making of the proposed orderwithin the period of 28 days commencing on 13 March 2013 by noticeto the Secretary of State, quoting the above reference, addressed tothe National Transport Casework Team, 2nd Floor, Lancaster House,Hampshire Court, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne,NE4 7YH.

Please note: - Should you wish to object, the information you havegiven us and your personal data will be passed to the applicant toenable us to deal with the issues you have brought to our attention.If you do not wish your personal data to be forwarded to the applicantplease state this when submitting your objection and outline the reasonswhy. Where a stopping up Order becomes the subject of a PublicInquiry (PI), all correspondence is copied to the Inspector conductingthe Inquiry and is kept in the PI Library where it is publicly available.

Denise HogginsOn behalf of the Department for Transport (1782593)

Department for TransportTOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990THE SECRETARY OF STATE hereby gives notice of the proposalto make an Order under section 247 of the above Act to authorise thestopping up of three areas of highway along Oakfield Drive/ParsonageDrive at Longbridge, in the District of Bromsgrove.IF THE ORDER IS MADE, the stopping up will be authorised onlyin order to enable development to be carried out in accordance withthe planning permission granted to St Modwen Developments Limitedby Bromsgrove District Council on 2 November 2012 under reference11/0750.COPIES OF THE DRAFT ORDER AND RELEVANT PLAN MAYBE INSPECTED at all reasonable hours during 28 days commencingon 13 March 2013 at Cofton Post Office, 3 Parsonage Drive, CoftonHackett, Birmingham, B45 8AS and may be obtained free of chargefrom the Secretary of State at the offices of the Department forTransport (quoting reference NATTRAN/WM/S247/810) at the addressstated below.ANY PERSON MAY OBJECT to the making of the proposed orderwithin the period of 28 days commencing on 13 March 2013 by noticeto the Secretary of State, quoting the above reference, addressed tothe National Transport Casework Team, 2nd Floor, Lancaster House,

THE LONDON GAZETTE WEDNESDAY 13 MARCH 2013 4999

Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm Project One

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Transcript of Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm Project One