Rampion OWF blows past its expected generation in 2020

The Rampion offshore wind farm has exceeded its power generation target in 2020 by generating over 1,600 GWh during the year, 15 per cent more than the assumed annual generation of 1,400 GWh.

According to the Rampion team, the 400 MW offshore wind farm contributed to Britain’s greenest energy year yet, as 2020 saw record renewable power and the longest spell without coal since the industrial revolution, culminating on Boxing Day when wind generation powered more than half the country.

“We have had an incredible year, generating enough energy to power the equivalent of over 400,000 homes and reducing carbon emissions by well over 600,000 tonnes”, said Richard Crowhurst, General Manager, Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. “We are extremely proud of Rampion’s Operations team who have continued to work safely throughout the pandemic, playing their part in keeping the UK’s vital energy infrastructure operating”.

As reported last year, Rampion is one of the offshore wind farms for which RWE and its partners signed lease agreements with the Crown Estate for project extensions. For Rampion, it was decided to seek to develop the remaining seabed option at the original Zone 6 of the existing wind farm and combine this with the extension project.

A four-week informal public consultation is currently open on initial proposals to expand the Rampion offshore wind farm off the Sussex coast. A formal public consultation on more detailed proposals will be held later this year.

The Rampion offshore wind farm – owned by RWE, E.ON UK, a Macquarie-led consortium and Enbridge – comprises 116 MHI Vestas 3.45 MW wind turbines.

In 2020, the project opened the Rampion Visitor Centre on Brighton Seafront.

The wind farm also recently opened an application period for the Rampion Community Benefit Fund (managed by the Sussex Community Foundation). Applications for the Fund, which already supported 114 different projects, can be submitted until 26 March.