Te c h n i c a l & S a f e t y
By Robert Spencer
OREIs ( Offshore Renewable Energy Installations )
Despite the cancellation of the Navitus wind farm proposal off Poole Bay last year there is a similar large development , the Rampion wind farm , currently under way off Shoreham with an expected completion date in the middle of 2018 .
Although we Chichester yachties only rarely turn left at the harbour bar , it has the ability to spoil our day on those infrequent occasions , and your correspondent decided it was time he took a look so he ’ s ready for this year ’ s Far East cruise .
The farm will have 116 turbines and an offshore substation in a grid layout with a minimum spacing between structures of 750m . The closest will be eight miles offshore and the farm will have a total maximum generating capacity of 400MW .
Each of the turbines will be 85 metres to the nacelle housing the generator and 140 metres to the highest position of the blade tip .
Of more interest to us yachties , perhaps , the lowest position of the blade tips must be at least 22 metres above mean high water springs .
► Whilst the farm is being built the Secretary of State has approved Statutory Safety Zones , ( i . e . they have the force of law ) of :
► 500m around all structures ( where construction vessels are present )
► 50m around all structures ( whilst personnel are working on them ) including the offshore substation
In addition , all sea users are requested to remain a minimum safe distance of 500m around each vessel .
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