Wind farm expansion decision postponed

If approved, construction is expected to start in 2027

A decision on plans to expand an offshore wind farm has been pushed back.

The decision on the Rampion 2 project was due by Thursday, but the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has pushed back the deadline to 4 April as it wants more information from the applicant in regards to piling restrictions.

The project from Rampion Extension Development Limited would see the existing site of 116 turbines off the West Sussex coast expanded by up to 90 turbines.

A project spokesperson said the Secretary of State had requested the information by 20 February and that deadline extensions were not uncommon.

When public hearings began on the plans, critics voiced concerns about the wind farm's impact on tourism.

But operator RWE Renewables said the expansion of the existing windfarm, which opened in 2018, could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than one million homes.

If approved, construction is expected to start in 2027 and be completed by 2030.

The expansion could be constructed between 13km (8.1 miles) and 26km (16.2 miles) from the coast.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has been contacted for a comment.