Sofia application for consent for offshore safety zones

Application for offshore safety zones

Sofia has applied for consent from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for offshore safety zones for the project during construction and also for periods of major maintenance during its operational phase.

The following safety zones are being applied for:

• “Rolling” 500 metre (m) safety zone established around each wind turbine or offshore converter platform, and / or their foundations, whilst construction work is being performed, as indicated by the presence of a construction vessel(s)
• Pre-commissioning 50m safety zones established around the above which is either partially completed or constructed where a construction vessel is not present prior to commissioning of the wind farm, and
• 500m safety zones around all major maintenance being undertaken around the above, as denoted by the presence of a major maintenance vessel (“major maintenance” as defined within the 2007 Regulations).

Details of the safety zones will be provided via notices to mariners prior to the start of any construction and major maintenance operations. Further details including in relation to how the safety zones will be managed once implemented are provided in the supporting Sofia Safety Zone Application.

Representations to the Secretary of State about the application should be done by email to the Secretary of State, Energy Infrastructure Planning Team, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stating the name of the proposal and nature of the representations, not later than 28 days from the date or latest date of publication of the Sofia Safety Zone Notice (see table below for publications and dates).