Planning and Consent
The Morven Offshore Wind Farm will require several different types of planning permissions – known as consents under various legislation in Scotland and England. These consist of four key consenting elements:
Morven North and Morven South
Morven Offshore Wind Farm was initially awarded as one site from the ScotWind Leasing Round in 2021/2022 but subsequently split into two separate projects during the early development phase. These sites are primarily comprised of the generation assets (which include the wind turbines together with supporting foundations and inter array cables) and the offshore substation platforms.
Consenting approach:
Two individuals reviewing a map during a meeting
Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project
This will comprise of the transmission assets that will transport the electricity generated by either Morven North or Morven South to the national grid, with the point of interconnection at Hawthorn Pit, County Durham.
Consenting approach:
For the onshore and offshore components of the MHPGC Project in England, a development consent order (DCO) application will be made under the Planning Act, 2008. Additionally, for those assets located within Scottish waters (specifically, Scottish Offshore Waters), marine licence(s) will be applied for from the Marine Directorate: Licensing Operations Team, in accordance with the provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act, 2009.
Morven Branxton Grid Connection Project
This will comprise of the transmission assets that will transport the electricity generated by either Morven North or Morven South to the National grid, with the point of interconnection to be a location near Branxton, in the East Lothian area of Scotland.
Consenting approach:
The Consenting approach will be confirmed in due course.