Flotation Energy and Cobra have secured full consent for their 100MW White Cross floating offshore wind project in the Celtic Sea, following onshore and offshore planning approvals. The developers applied in 2023 to North Devon Council and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to construct and operate the wind farm and its grid connection infrastructure. The site is located approximately 52 kilometres off the Devon coast and will feature between six and eight floating wind turbines.
The offshore planning application was submitted to the MMO in March 2023, and the onshore application followed in September 2023. Both underwent three rounds of public consultation.
On 7 May, North Devon Council granted consent for the onshore works. The MMO has also issued a Marine Licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, aligning with the South West Marine Plan.
Export cables from the offshore site will come ashore at Saunton Sands and continue underground for around 8 kilometres to a new onshore substation at White Cross, where the project will connect to the existing East Yelland substation. The cable route passes beneath Braunton Burrows and the Taw Estuary using trenchless technology to avoid surface disruption within the Special Area of Conservation and the Site of Special Scientific Interest.
