News Date: Wednesday 15th February 2012
Local MP encouraged by off shore Wind Farm proposals
East Worthing and Shoreham MP, Tim Loughton, has been encouraged by the current proposals for a wind farm 13km off the Sussex coast. Energy supplier, e.on, is in the process of submitting an application which would see a wind farm, named Rampion, house between 100 (larger) and 195 (smaller) turbines.
The farm would produce enough electricity to supply 450,000 homes annually which would, consequently, reduce 920,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Rampion would be connected to a National Grid transmission substation at Bolney and the 28km cable would travel underground in order to minimise the impact on local residents.
Tim said:
‘There is no doubt that Rampion will be extremely beneficial to the environment by reducing so many CO2 emissions. Rampion, along with Shoreham Port who has been installing solar panels on some of their buildings, are setting a great example for conducting environmental best practice in the area. The farm would also provide enough electricity for a huge amount of households in the area and it is much better situated off shore rather than on shore. I have had a number of meetings with Rampion representatives and they have explained that the turbines will not interfere with ships approaching or leaving the shore and that the base of the turbines will actually act as artificial reefs for sea life. There will be some building works in the Brooklands area which will restrict access to the park but, overall, disruption should be limited. The wind farm will also have a positive effect on the local economy by bringing new jobs to the area as well tourism.
If anyone is concerned or unsure as to what the plans entail, e.on is holding a number of consultation events in the area to explain their proposal and answer questions.’
The next stage is for e.on to submit their Development Consent Order application to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) in 2012. The IPC will then make their decision in 2013 and, if they are successful, work will begin in 2014.
E.on is consulting widely on their proposal with local communities before work commences. Consultation dates in the Worthing and Adur area are:
Worthing- Saturday 25 February, 10am-6pm (St Pauls, Chapel Road, Worthing BN11 1EE)
Shoreham- Monday 5 March, 12pm-8pm (Holmbush Shopping Centre, Main Atrium, Upper Shoreham Road, BN43 6TD)
Lancing- Thursday 29 March, 12pm-8pm (Lancing Parish Hall, Jubilee Hall, South Street, BN15 8AJ)
