Strategic Support for offshore wind project at Kattegat South

As the environmental consultant, WSP provided strategic support during the consultation and permitting process for the Kattegat South offshore wind farm.

On behalf of Vattenfall, WSP acted as environmental consultant and provided strategic support during the consultation and permitting process for the Kattegat South offshore wind farm, which is destined to be Northern Europe’s largest wind farm, with a capacity that currently corresponds to 2.3% of Sweden's total energy production. The 122 km2 site is located in the Kattegat Strait, about 25 km west of Falkenberg in Swedish waters. To the south are located the Natura 2000 areas (Stora Middelgrund wind power project) and Röde Bank, while the Lilla Middelgrund shoal lies to the north.

WSP was in charge of preparing consultation and permit application documents for the project, including environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in connection with the wind farm permit application under the Swedish Economic Zone Act and with the Natura 2000 permit application.

The project also included strategic support, research and consultation relating to the permit for exporting cables from the planned wind farm to the grid station at Väröbacka. WSP will continue to support Vattenfall during the next project stages.

Front cover of the EIA application for the Kattegat wind farm and Natura 2000.

Location

Kattegatt, Sweden

Client

Vattenfall Vindkraft AB

Milestones achieved

Within Kattegat South, a comprehensive scoping consultation was carried out in January-February 2021, including all different project components, e.g. wind farm with internal cable grid and transformer station, export cables from the wind farm to Värö Peninsula and terrestrial cable options. WSP prepared the consultation document and supported Vattenfall throughout the process.
Applications for a wind farm permit in accordance with the Swedish Economic Zone Act and for Natura 2000 were submitted to the Government and the County Administrative Board of Halland County on July 9, 2021. WSP was in charge of preparing the EIAs for both applications.

Briefing points

Strategic advice was provided to Vattenfall during the consultation process and for the preparation of permits for the different wind farm components.
Procurement support and review was provided for external studies, deliverables and supporting reports.
Presentations and support were provided during consultations with the County Administrative Board of Halland, the Municipality of Varberg, the Swedish Maritime Administration, fishing organizations, landowners and other stakeholders.
Technical descriptions and environmental assessments were prepared in connection with the application for a seabed survey under the Continental Shelf Act (application submitted to the Swedish government in May 2020).
Consultation documents and a related conduct of consultation were prepared in connection with the application for a seabed survey permit under the Continental Shelf Act (the consultation was conducted in fall 2020 and completed in spring 2021).