Surfing group claims victory as E.on alters Rampion offshore plans

UK: A UK surfing group is claiming it has persuaded E.on to change the design of the 665MW Rampion offshore wind farm amid fears it could affect wave heights.

by James Quilter 10 December 2012

Rampion will only affect wave heights in Brighton by 3% (pic Phil Hatchard)

The change comes as a result of a public consulation by project developer E.on.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) said it outlined its concerns about the effect of Rampion after E.on revealed the project could reduce wave heights around Brighton on the English south coast by as much as 22%.

As a result of discussions between E.on, the group and local business, the power company is believed to have altered the project to the extent that waves will be reduced by around 3%.

E.on also said it was reducing the maximum number of turbines at the project by 20, in response to concerns raised by the public consultation.This means the project could feature between 100 and 175 turbines with a maximum capacity of 700MW.

A 175-turbine project at 700MW would require 4MW turbines. The only 4MW turbine on the market at the moment is the revamped version of the 3.6MW Siemens turbine, although GE is also testing a 4.1MW offshore turbine.

This article was updated on 17 December to include information about the changes to the project