The HRA process assesses the possible impact of the proposed windfarm extensions on relevant nature conservation sites of European importance. The announcement allows the project to take the next important steps towards delivering Greater Gabbard Extension, including environmental assessments and surveys ahead of seeking planning consent for the offshore wind extension.
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The Committee on Climate Change envisions 75GW of offshore wind being needed by 2050 if the UK is to reach Net Zero and extensions of current operational assets that can benefit from existing operations to have an important role to play in reaching this goal. The existing Greater Gabbard wind farm, which is fully operated by SSE Renewables on behalf of the joint venture partners out of the site's base at Lowestoft, already brings significant benefits to the local economy and community. The Extension project will build on that legacy and ongoing contribution while at the same time further powering the UK's Net Zero ambitions.
The Greater Gabbard extension is part of SSE Renewables' extensive offshore wind development pipeline, which is the largest in the UK and Ireland. This project pipeline includes Dogger Bank Wind Farms, the largest offshore wind farm in the world, Seagreen Wind Energy, the largest offshore wind farm in Scotland and Phase II of Arklow Bank Wind Park, one of the largest offshore wind farms in Ireland.
