A huge step forward for our Cambois Connection

Berwick Bank took a vital step forward today after Northumberland County Council unanimously granted outline planning permission for the project’s onshore transmission infrastructure and grid connection.

Berwick Bank will plug in a large proportion of its capacity at Cambois near Blyth, Northumberland to deliver clean energy generated from strong North Sea winds to millions of UK homes and businesses.

The decision to approve the onshore scheme is the next step for this pivotal super-project. It is now awaiting approval of a Section 36 application by Scottish Government ministers for the offshore aspects of the project.

Project Director, Alex Meredith said: “The decision by Northumberland County Council to approve the onshore infrastructure is a huge step forward for the project.

“This consent can be added to the approval of onshore infrastructure in East Lothian. Therefore we know we can plug in what will be the largest single offshore wind farm in the world. We now need Scottish Government to approve the Section 36 application and allow us to power it up.”

If consented for delivery, the project could enter the next round of the UK’s renewable energy auctions, Allocation Round 7 (AR7), having already missed out on the last.

Alex added: “Berwick Bank will be crucial to achieving 2030 targets, tackling affordability and fighting climate change by getting us off fossil fuels, whilst providing nearly 10,000 jobs and over £8 billion of investment in the UK.

“But if we are to stand any chance of achieving the Clean Power Mission by 2030 and grasping those opportunities it is vital we have a decision on our offshore application before the end of the year. It’s time to move forward with this pivotal project to stimulate growth and accelerate decarbonisation of the UK”