Former UK energy and climate change minister, Charles Hendry MP, has become the new chair of the Forewind consortium, developer of the Dogger Bank Round 3 zone.
Hendry replaces John Gummer, a former UK environment minister, who resigned in order to lead the government’s climate change advisory body, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).
As incoming chair of Forewind, Hendry will be involved in the initial phase of Dogger Bank’s development. A draft environmental statement (ES) for public consultation will be unveiled this spring, for the first 2.4GW ‘Creyke Beck’ phase of development.
Creyke Beck will comprise two 1.2GW offshore wind farms, consent applications for which are earmarked for this summer.
Installation of two suction-bucket meteorological masts within the 8,660km² zone off England’s north Yorkshire coast has recently been completed.
Commenting on his appointment, Hendry said: "Forewind and the Dogger Bank project are at the leading edge of Britain’s growing offshore wind industry. It is the most ambitious offshore wind project in the world and will help make the UK the undisputed global leader in the technology. It is a privilege to be involved in such a world-class project."
Four European energy companies own equal shares in the Forewind consortium: RWE, SSE, Statkraft and Statoil.
Hendry was the UK’s senior energy minister until September 2012. During his tenure, he oversaw initial proposals for the UK's incoming contracts for difference regime, designed to incentivise low-carbon electricity generation, as well as a joint government-industry initiative that examined opportunities for cutting offshore wind’s cost of energy.
.png)
.png)
