Major windfarm planned for North Devon

A major windfarm project off the coast of North Devon is currently seeking planning permission from North Devon Council for the necessary infrastructure to connect a 100 megawatts floating offshore windfarm to the grid.

White Cross Offshore Windfarm Limited, a collaboration between Cobra and Flotation Energy, is leading the project.

The proposed floating windfarm will aim to harness the wind resources off the North Devon coast to generate renewable energy for the region and beyond.

It will have seven floating turbines and will be situated 32 miles / 52.5 kilometres off the North Devon coast.

The project team has said they are working with Natural England and North Devon Council to provide more information about wildlife and habitats in the area along the cable route, to ensure they meet their environmental commitments.

The project's next critical step involves securing approval for the infrastructure required to link the offshore windfarm to the mainland grid. 

This infrastructure includes the installation of cabling to transmit electricity from the windfarm to onshore substations for distribution.

If planning permission is granted, the project expects to begin construction of White Cross Offshore Windfarm in 2027 and generate the first power in 2029. 

Project Director Al Rayner said: “Windfarms like White Cross are vital to help secure the UK’s future energy needs, they play an important role in helping to reduce carbon emissions and tackle the global climate crisis.

“Taking care of the environment around Saunton Sands, Braunton and East Yelland is a top priority for us. It’s important that we work closely with the community while we are connecting the turbines to the grid and that we continue to listen and carefully consider the views of local people to take account of their concerns. 

“We also understand how important the tourist industry is in Devon, and we will be scheduling as much work as we can outside of the busy summer months.”

The White Cross Offshore Windfarm has said that it represents a major investment in the southwest's net-zero infrastructure.

White Cross Offshore Windfarm is poised to provide 100 megawatts of secure, renewable energy, enough to power the equivalent of over 135,000 households.

The company is actively seeking the involvement of local businesses in the project. 

They are already engaging in discussions with local suppliers about supply chain opportunities and are encouraging potential suppliers with an interest in the project to register on their website.

Following public consultation carried out in 2023, White Cross is holding drop-in events in May 2024 to give local people an opportunity to find out more about the plans, meet the project team and share their views. 

The events will be held on:

Tuesday 21st May 2024

Braunton Parish Hall, 5 Chaloners Road, Braunton EX33 2ES from 11am to 4pm

Isaac Hall, Braunton Academy, Barton Lane, Braunton EX33 2BP between 6pm and 8pm.

Wednesday 22nd May 2024 

North Devon Cricket Club, the Pavilion Sandhills, Instow EX39 4LF between 11am and 6.30pm.

For those unable to attend the events, all the information will be available via their website from 21st May. Feedback can be easily provided by filling in a feedback form on the website, emailing or writing to them at PO Box 369, Saltash, PL12 9AS. 

Councillor Graham Bell who represents the Braunton East Ward said: “As a village at risk of flooding, Braunton takes its environment very seriously. The Celtic Sea projects that will provide secure, renewable energy are a welcome addition to our energy strategy. While Braunton is committed to deliver energy security, we must not lose sight of the village's unique environmental and agricultural heritage. If it can be demonstrated that the proposed route is in-fact the only method to make landfall, then it must be done with an absolute assurity that it will not impact the multiple unique environments that comprise the Braunton landscape.

"Over the last year I have been increasingly concerned that White Cross have not been fully cognizant of the varied nature of the Braunton landscape. I frequently expressed my dissatisfaction that Whitecross was failing to fully engage with the people of North Devon leading to mistrust and concern regarding the proposal. I am pleased to see that Whitecross is now trying to redress this problem with these public meetings.

"Moving forward it is vital that Whitecross continue to engage and take seriously the very real environmental concerns of Braunton residents. Hopefully, all parties will fully engage with each other to ensure that we are able to ensure secure, renewable energy in a way that safeguards our vital natural environment.”