2009, Centrica Energy, Race Bank, Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI)

Centrica conducted a Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) study in September 2009 to support planning applications for the Docking Shoal (up to 540 MW) and Race Bank (up to 620 MW) Offshore Wind Farms, originally submitted for offshore consents in late 2008 and early 2009. The SEI included a Population Viability Analysis (PVA) requested by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) to evaluate potential impacts on the north Norfolk Sandwich tern population, along with new geophysical and biological surveys, revised cable corridor designs, and updated visualizations as per the latest guidelines. The methodology involved technical analyses, public exhibitions, stakeholder consultations, and distribution of findings through libraries, council offices, and online platforms. Conclusions indicate that, at high bird collision avoidance rates (≥99.5%), the proposed wind farms would have no significant effect on the Sandwich tern population, and seabed surveys addressed routing concerns. The SEI recommends ongoing stakeholder dialogue and has made all related materials publicly accessible for further comment and regulatory review.