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White Cross Offshore Windfarm

Cobra and Flotation Energy are proud to be partners on the White Cross Offshore Windfarm. White Cross will be a floating windfarm and use innovative floating substructure technology that is anchored to the seabed.  Each floating substructure will support a single wind turbine.  The maximum capacity of the completed windfarm will be 100MW – that’s enough to power over 135,000 households.

It will also contribute to the UK Government’s commitment to:

  • reach net zero by 2050
  • generate 50GW of power from offshore wind by 2030
  • generate 5 GW of power from floating offshore wind by 2030

It is located approximately 50km off the Devon/Cornwall coast.

up to
8
floating turbines

up to
100MW
renewable energy

over
135,000
households

White Cross Exhibition

This consultation is important to us, as we aim to reduce disruption to those with whom we share the sea. We recognise that our work can sometimes have an impact on those who earn their livelihoods from fishing and other marine-based industries. That is why we are working with their representative bodies to carefully plan our project.

Click to visit the online exhibition

About the partners

Cobra and Flotation Energy are Joint Venture project partners for the White Cross Offshore Windfarm. White Cross is a Test and Demonstration Project and has been awarded by The Crown Estate, subject to the outcome of a plan level Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA).

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

Flotation Energy

Flotation Energy has a growing project pipeline of offshore wind projects with more than 13 GW in the UK, Ireland, Taiwan, Japan and Australia; and plans to expand into many more key markets.

The expertise of the Flotation Energy team lies in the project and engineering management of large infrastructure projects.

Flotation Energy have developed their own projects but also recognise the benefits of collaboration and working in partnership with other developers to deliver proven, cost-effective solutions.

Community

Wherever possible we consult with our local communities, local businesses, elected members, regulators and other key stakeholders to receive feedback and help shape our plans. We work with local media and identify multiple channels to help promote our projects and engage with as wide an audience as possible, in the planning and delivery of our programme.

  • Project accepted by The Crown Estate, subject to Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) outcome
  • Western Power Distribution (WPD) electricity connection agreement into East Yelland substation
  • Stakeholder engagement commenced.
  • Website launched
Onsite environmental surveys progressed alongside continuous stakeholder engagement in support of the Section 36 Electricity Act 1989 consent application
  • Draft scoping report prepared
  • Habitats Regulations Assessment commenced by the Crown Estate
  • Scoping request submitted to Marine Management Organisation (MMO)
  • Scoping opinion received from the MMO
  • Consultation with Government, regulators, communities and interested parties (website, working groups, meetings, forums, exhibitions)
  • Submission of Environmental Impact Report and non-technical summary
  • Expected signing of agreement for lease with the Crown Estate
  • Obtain section 36, marine licence consent and also onshore planning consent
  • Submission of Planning Application for onshore elements of the project (onshore export cable corridor and onshore substation)
Expected Final Investment Decision
  • WPD connection for power export
  • Commissioning of offshore and onshore substations
Full commercial operation date

Environment

Delivering Net Zero

The UK has made commitments to a 78% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035 and to Net Zero (reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 100% relative to 1990 levels) by 2050.

To achieve this target offshore wind has a vital role to play and in recognition of this key role the UK Government has a target of delivering 50GW of energy from offshore wind by 2030, with 5GW to be from floating projects.

The climate emergency must be dealt with. The White Cross project has the potential to contribute to the Net Zero targets and to play a role in decarbonisation of the UK economy.

White Cross is deliverable now and it is essential if the UK is to be successful in delivering Net Zero.

Planning and consent

The ­Section 36 and Marine Licence applications for the project’s offshore consent have been submitted to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).  Once validated, a copy of our application will be available on the public register of marine licence applications and decisions.

We are continuing to develop our onshore application under the Town and Country Planning Act. This will be submitted to the Local Planning Authority in Summer 2023.

Scoping report

Scoping is a key part of the project development process. Scoping is utilised to determine the content and extent of the matters which should be covered in the environmental information to be submitted to a competent authority for projects which require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be undertaken. The White Cross Offshore Windfarm will require an EIA.

Scoping is the process of identifying the key issues in relation to potential environmental effects of the project and is an opportunity to canvass the views of the local community and key stakeholders. Scoping allows the identification of potential issues at an early stage to inform the need for mitigation to be identified as early as possible. In addition, scoping ensures that EIA is proportionate to the key issues identified for the project.

The Scoping Report was submitted to the Marine Management Organisation on 18 January 2022.

Click here to read the Scoping Report
For the best experience please download the PDF and open in Acrobat Reader (or similar).

Surveys

Aerial surveys were initiated in July 2020 to collect offshore bird and marine mammal density data across the White Cross Offshore Windfarm site. These surveys, undertaken by aircraft flying across the site each month, were completed in September 2022.

Mapping of the seabed via geophysical surveys have been undertaken and geotechnical and benthic ecology surveys have been completed for the wind farm area and offshore cable route. These will provide information about the seabed and help understand the structure of the habitats and species that are present in the areas.

Further onshore and offshore environmental surveys have been undertaken to inform the project design and EIA processes. These include shipping activity, seabed habitats and ecology, terrestrial ecology, onshore ground conditions, land use and a host of other aspects of the environment in which the project is situated.

Consultation process

Consultation with stakeholders and local communities is a key part of the planning and consenting processes. We are actively seeking input; with all comments and opinions provided carefully considered and used to help shape our plans.

The next round of consultation events for the White Cross floating offshore windfarm project are being held on the 20th and 21st October. The purpose of these events is to provide an update on the development of the project design and routing options and answer any questions that you may have about the project. Stakeholder and local community consultation is a central aspect of the planning and consenting process that is strongly valued by the project team. We are actively seeking your input; all comments and opinions will be carefully considered and used to help shape plans and support project decisions. 

White Cross is a 100MW project being developed in the Celtic sea by Offshore Wind Limited. The windfarm site is approximately 50km on the North Devon and Cornwall Coast and covers an area of 50km2. It is expected that to deliver the maximum 100MW windfarm capacity only around 20% of this area will be required to site the expected 6 to 8 turbines and associated moorings. Each turbine will be supported by an innovative floating substructure technology that is anchored to the seabed. The offshore cable is proposed to make landfall on the North Devon coast near Braunton and the onshore cable will then connect to the existing substation as East Yelland, south of the River Taw. 

We look forward to seeing you at one of the events, updating you on the project development since the last engagements and finding out your views on what is proposed.  

Event 1 – 

Date: Thursday 20th October 2022
Time: 14:00 – 16:00 and 17:00- 19:00
Location: North Devon Cricket Club, The Pavilion Sandhills, Instow, EX39 4LF

Event 2 – 

Date: Friday 21st October 2022
Time: 14:00 – 16:00 and 17:00- 19:00
Location: Braunton Parish Hall, 5 Chaloners Rd, Braunton, EX33 1AF 

Online Event – 
Date: Monday 24th October 2022
Time: 12:00 – 13:00

 

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Supply chain

A major infrastructure development like White Cross Offshore Windfarm brings with it a wealth of opportunity for businesses of all sizes across a wide range of disciplines.

We aim to utilise as many UK based suppliers where reasonably possible during all stages of the development phase. Subject to the relevant consents and a positive Financial Investment Decision, this will ramp up significantly through to the construction phase. There will be further opportunities throughout the long-term operational phase.