zoomNDurance; Photo: VBMS

The final phase of Galloper construction work at Sizewell beach has been reported well underway with the team preparing for the installation of the second and final export cable for the offshore wind farm.

The cable will bring the power generated from the offshore wind farm to the onshore substation that will connect to the National Grid.

The works should be completed, and the site demobilized this summer, with the beach being returned to its original condition.

Toby Edmonds, project director of Galloper Wind Farm Limited, said: “Similar to last year the export cable will be brought to site by the vessel Ndurance, which will sail from Holland, and subject to weather conditions and other factors, arrive off the coast of Sizewell around the 30th of April. The vessel will setup on anchors approximately 300 metres from the Sizewell coast and it is anticipated to remain there for up to seven days, weather dependent, whilst the final cable is installed.”

The beach will remain open outside of the designated construction areas which will be clearly signposted.

Normal working hours will be 7am to 7pm, from Monday to Saturday, for the majority of the construction process however it is expected there will be occasional 24 hour working, including the 1st of May Bank Holiday Monday.

Construction of Galloper is being led on behalf of the project partners by innogy SE. The project represents an investment potential of around £1.5 billion and the average annual generation expected is estimated to be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of around 336,000 average UK households.