Package 2: The electrical system

In order to connect the offshore wind farm to the electricity network, electrical infrastructure will be required both onshore and offshore. This will consist of undersea cables travelling from the offshore wind farm to a location in the vicinity of Anderby Creek. We will then bury cables underground to an intermediate electrical compound on one of three short listed zones located within the East Lindsey area. The underground cables will then travel to a substation on one of four short listed zones located near the connection point at Bicker Fen, to the west of Boston.

We have decided to use a type of electrical technology called Alternating Current (AC) to transmit the power from the wind farm to the national grid which has a number of benefits over the other options considered.

Work to date

In 2009, National Grid offered us a grid connection agreement to connect Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm to the electricity network in East Lindsey, Lincolnshire. We consulted local communities, non-statutory groups and statutory bodies to help identify the most suitable location for a substation within this area.

However, in December 2010, we were informed by National Grid that they would be undertaking a review of the grid connection location. In order to prevent unnecessary delays to the construction and operation of the offshore wind farm, we decided to progress Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm as two separate packages. The review concluded that Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm should be connected to an existing substation at Bicker Fen, south west of Boston, Lincolnshire.

We commenced technical and design studies to understand of what the electrical system will comprise and undertook onshore and offshore environmental and engineering surveys to find the best potential sites and routes for the electrical infrastructure. Our assessments considered environmental factors such as flood risk, noise and landscape and existing land use. We also meet with statutory bodies such as the Environment Agency, Natural England and relevant local authority departments. These initial studies and discussions helped us to narrow down the site and route options.

Current work

Following evaluation of the different options, we know of what the electrical system will comprise and have identified options for where the infrastructure could be sited. We are now carrying out a consultation between February and April 2013 with public bodies and local communities. The consultation is giving local residents the opportunity to have their say on the shortlisted zones for the substation and intermediate electrical compound. We will use the results of this consultation to inform our final planning application for the electrical system.

Find out more about the consultation and take part here.

Running offshore cables through the Wash

As part of the work we have undertaken to identify the most appropriate route for the offshore cable, we have investigated the feasibility of laying the offshore cables from the wind farm through the Wash and onto the shore further south towards Boston. We examined the engineering and environmental constraints and have consulted with Natural England, the Marine Management Organisation, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, the Eastern Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority and local ports. We also looked into the experience from the other wind farm developers of laying cables through the Wash.

Following analysis of our investigations and the consultations undertaken, we have complied a report which concludes that routing offshore cables through the main part of the Wash area is not a feasible option for Triton Knoll

To see the full report click here.

ZoomA map of the proposed Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm onshore electrical system - click for larger image. 

A map of Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm’s proposed offshore electrical system - click for larger image.