Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm accepted for examination

Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm is a proposed extension to the existing Galloper wind farm, which is located approximately 27km off the Suffolk coast.

The new wind farm would be approximately 37km from the coast at its nearest point, coming ashore at Sandy Point between Frinton-on-Sea and Holland-on-Sea in Essex.

Underground cables will travel approximately 22km to a new substation located to the west of Little Bromley, finally connecting the power to the proposed adjacent East Anglia Connection Node substation, part of National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury Project.  

The Five Estuaries project includes up to 79 turbines with a maximum tip height of 399m – split across two separate seabed areas covering 128km of the southern North Sea.

It would create enough energy each year to power hundreds of thousands of homes.  

The project, which is being developed by RWE on behalf of the project’s partners (RWE, a Macquarie-led consortium, ESB and Sumitomo Corporation), now moves into the ‘pre-examination’ phase of the consenting process.

The Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm project includes up to 79 turbines (Image: RWE)
“This is a major milestone for an important project that will generate renewable energy for the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of homes, support the UK government’s net zero targets, and create job and supply chain opportunities in the local area," said Diane Mailer, project lead.  

“Informed by feedback from the local communities and other consultees, the project’s design has evolved significantly over the last four years. I would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has taken the time to engage with us during the development process.

“It is through this engagement, alongside our close coordination with the North Falls Offshore Wind Farm project, that we have submitted proposals that deliver the best possible project, while minimising impact to local communities, wildlife and the environment.” 

All of the application documents are available to view on the project page of the Planning Inspectorate’s website. 

Anyone can register on the website as an ‘interested party’ to participate in the examination process.

The examination phase is expected to begin later in the summer and last six months, followed by a three-month period for the Examining Authority to make its recommendation.

A final decision on consent, taken over a further three-month period, will rest with the UK Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, and is anticipated in summer 2025.  

For more information on the development of the project, visit fiveestuaries.co.uk