Providing confidence to clients through expertise and delivery
The harnessing of wind power has become a main source of renewable energy, supplying the UK with 7% of the electricity demand. The UK has become a world leader in the offshore wind sector (The Crown Estate).
Wessex Archaeology is demonstrably the UK market leader in the provision of quality marine archaeological and cultural heritage services. Over the last 16 years we have delivered over two-thirds of all marine development projects in UK waters from offshore windfarm Rounds 1, 2 and 3 as well as other major renewables infrastructure and windfarm extension projects, demonstrating our track record as market leaders. The Coastal & Marine team are highly trained and equipped to provide the full range of services related to cultural heritage assessments for offshore windfarm development projects.
Offshore Windfarm Projects: Services
We have worked on numerous offshore windfarm projects across the North Sea, English Channel and Irish Sea. Our team is involved in all stages of the development, from pre-application to post-determination phases:
- providing advice, scoping reports, desk-based assessments;
- Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Statement (ES);
- Written Scheme of Investigations (WSI);
- post-consent support; providing the service of Retained Archaeologists;
- review of marine geophysical, geotechnical and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) survey datasets; and
- the implementation of Protocol for Archaeological Discoveries (PAD).
Sustained Quality and Delivery of Services
The time frame for offshore renewables projects may last between 5−10 years (or more) from the initial application submissions and early planning phases, on to the consenting stage and the final commissioned project. We are proud of the long-standing relationships we have with many of our clients, developed over many years.
We typically provide and sustain our services across long project periods which requires high-quality data management and project design. Our proactive approach to project management encompasses specific phases of a project but anticipates the needs and requirements across all phases of a project’s development. This ensures streamlined and cost-effective products and mitigation strategies that minimise risk, avoids delays and unforeseen costs to projects.
Rampion, Galloper, the Hornsea zone, Race Bank, Dudgeon, London Array, the East Anglia zone, Inch Cape, Neart na Gaoithe, Moray West, European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, and, Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration project are just a few Wessex Archaeology have supported over many years, some of which are still ongoing.