Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_LVIA
65
September 2011
GALLOPER WIND FARM SUBSTATION
different locations at different times.
8.3.2. The wind farm’s operational life is defined (by The Crown Estate) as
up to 25 years. An additional two years would be granted to the lease
to allow decommissioning to take place. All elements of the wind
farm would be designed with a minimum operational life of 25 years.
Following this a decision would be made on whether the operating
company wish to proceed with decommissioning or apply to the
relevant Regulatory Authority at the time, to repower the wind farm.
This LVIA addresses effects of the 32 month construction phase, a 25
year operational phase and a 2 year decommissioning phase.
8.4. Decommissioning
8.4.1. A full Decommissioning Plan for the project would be drawn up and
agreed with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
before construction commences. For the purpose of this assessment it
has been assumed that:
� export cables between the landfall and the substation site will be
disconnected and left in situ in order to reduce environmental
impacts, unless otherwise advised by the relevant planning
authority;
� any equipment installed within the onshore transition pit will
remain in situ, unless otherwise advised by the relevant planning
authority;
� the substation development will be dismantled and removed
from site;
� hard standing areas will be broken up and the associated wastes
removed from site;
� the profiled landform, woodland and other planting will be
retained unless otherwise advised by the relevant planning
authority; and