NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR SAFETY ZONE SCHEME DURING CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SOFIA OFFSHORE WIND FARM

THE ENERGY ACT 2004

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR SAFETY ZONE SCHEME DURING CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SOFIA OFFSHORE WIND FARM

THE ELECTRICITY (OFFSHORE GENERATING STATIONS) (SAFETY ZONES) (APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND CONTROL OF ACCESS) REGULATIONS 2007 – STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 2007 NO 1948

Notice is hereby given that Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Limited  (company number 07791964), with registered offices at Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 6PB has applied for consent from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as set out in the Energy Act 2004 and the Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Safety Zones) (Application Procedures and Control of Access) Regulations 2007 (SI No 2007/1948) (2007 Regulations) for safety zones as detailed below, for the consented Sofia Offshore Wind Farm during construction and periods of major maintenance during the operational phase.

The following safety zones are being applied for:

• “Rolling” 500 metre (m) safety zone established around each Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) or Offshore Converter Platform (OCP), and / or their foundations, whilst construction work is being performed, as indicated by the presence of a construction vessel(s);
• Pre-Commissioning 50m safety zones established around any WTG or OCP which is either partially completed or constructed where a construction vessel is not present prior to commissioning of the wind farm; and
• 500m safety zones around all major maintenance being undertaken around a WTG or OCP, as denoted by the presence of a major maintenance vessel (“major maintenance” as defined within the 2007 Regulations).

Details of the safety zones will be provided via Notice to Mariners prior to the commencement of any construction and major maintenance operations. Further details including in relation to how the safety zones will be managed once implemented are provided in the supporting safety zone application, which can be obtained by emailing a request to Comms_sofia@rwe.com.

Any person wishing to make representations to the Secretary of State about the application should do so by email to the Secretary of State, Energy Infrastructure Planning Team, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero at beiseip@beis.gov.uk stating the name of the proposal and nature of their representations, not later than 28 days from the date or latest date of publication of the notice.