Public invited to join the conversation around Morven Offshore Wind Farm’s plans for its transmission infrastructure

Morven Offshore Wind Limited launched their latest round of public consultation on 22 October about plans for offshore and onshore infrastructure.

Team members discuss project plans during an indoor meeting.

Public consultation launched on 22 October about the latest proposals for the electricity transmission infrastructure required to connect Morven Offshore Wind Farm to the national grid at Hawthorn Pit substation, near Seaham (known as the Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project). The public consultation will run for more than five weeks until 30 November.
If approved, the infrastructure would transmit electricity from Morven Offshore Wind Farm’s turbines that would be located approximately 60km off the Aberdeenshire coast and have the potential to power the equivalent of around 3 million UK homes.
Information about the project, consultation, events and how to have your say can be found at www.morvenoffshorewind.com.

Morven Offshore Wind Limited launched their latest round of public consultation on 22 October about plans for offshore and onshore infrastructure connecting proposed wind turbines, located approximately 60km off the Aberdeenshire coast, with the national grid at Hawthorn Pit substation, near Seaham. The consultation will run until 30 November 2025. All local residents and stakeholders are invited to join the conversation and help shape how the project progresses.

The Morven Offshore Wind Farm is being developed by Morven Offshore Wind Limited, a joint venture between Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW) and JERA Nex bp Limited, and has the potential to power the equivalent of around 3 million UK homes.

The consultation focuses on proposals for offshore electricity cables in English waters, underground onshore electricity cables near Seaham, and a substation near Hawthorn Pit, known as the Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project.

Feedback from a previous consultation in 2024, alongside further technical studies and engagement has been used to develop the proposals. The public are now being invited to share their feedback on potential sites for the offshore cable corridor, onshore cable corridor, cable landfall and land substation.

Four public events will be held in the area to provide an opportunity to meet the team, ask questions, and find out more about the project. The events will feature family friendly activities and are open to everyone wanting to provide feedback on the consultation or find out more:

Monday, 3 November (3pm to 7pm) at Glebe Centre, Durham Place, SR7 9BX
Tuesday, 4 November (3pm to 7pm) at Hawthorn Community Centre, Seaham, SR7 8SG
Saturday, 15 November (10am to 3pm) at Seaham Scout Centre, Dow House, South Crescent, Seaham, SR7 7HD
Tuesday, 18 November (3pm to 7pm) at Robin Todd Centre, Front Street, South Hetton, DH6 2TH

Thomas Hudson, Project Director at JERA Nex bp said: “Feedback from the community to our 2024 consultation has been key in helping us develop our plans for the Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project. We are looking forward to sharing our latest plans and hearing from the public again.”

Kate Potter, Deputy Project Director at EnBW added: “We recognise the importance of working closely with local communities as we develop the Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project. This consultation is a chance for residents and stakeholders to share their views and help shape a project of national significance.”

The consultation will run until 30 November 2025 and further information is available online at: www.morvenoffshorewind.com.