Your voice matters! Fylde residents are about to get another chance to shape the future of the East Irish Sea Transmission Project, a crucial step in bringing renewable energy to the area. Ørsted, the energy company behind the project, has finalized its preferred route for the underground electricity cables, and your input is still vital.
Following community engagement earlier this year, Ørsted has chosen a northern route. This route will see cables making landfall at Fleetwood, then traveling through parts of Fylde to connect the Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm to the national grid at Penwortham. This decision comes after public information events in September where over 550 local residents shared their thoughts.
Good news: Ørsted listened! Based on community feedback, they've scrapped plans for an onshore booster station, opting instead for offshore infrastructure. The underground cables will remain buried along most of their route. But here's where it gets controversial: There's a possibility that overhead lines might be needed to cross the River Ribble due to technical challenges.
Councillor Richard Redcliffe, Lead Member for Planning, emphasized the council's commitment to residents' concerns. They'll continue collaborating with neighboring authorities, local communities, and developers, providing expert advice throughout the consultation and planning process. The goal? To ensure local voices are at the forefront of these critical decisions, which will ultimately be made by central government.
The next phase involves establishing local consultation groups focused on the onshore substation and the River Ribble crossing. This will give community representatives a direct say in the evolving plans. A formal Statement of Community Consultation will be released, outlining how residents can continue to participate. Get ready for statutory consultation events planned for autumn 2026, where detailed proposals and environmental assessments will be presented. The Development Consent Order application is expected in late 2027, offering multiple opportunities for residents to influence this significant infrastructure project.
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What do you think? Are you concerned about the potential for overhead lines, or do you see this project as a necessary step towards renewable energy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
