Norwegian energy company Equinor (formerly Statoil) has signed Agreements for Lease (AfL) with The Crown Estate for two offshore wind farm extensions in the UK.

The Sheringham Extension and Dudgeon Extension are part of The Crown Estate’s 2017 Offshore Wind Extensions opportunity and both proposals have successfully progressed through the plan level Habitats Regulations Assessment stage (HRA), which assesses the possible impact of the proposed windfarm extensions on relevant nature conservation sites of European importance.

Now, both of Equinor’s proposed wind farm extensions have officially signed an Agreement for Lease, expanding the two existing operations off the Norfolk Coast, Dudgeon and Sheringham Shoal, doubling the total capacity to over 1400 MW.

Kari Hege Mørk, project manager at Equinor, said: “In support of its net-zero ambitions, the UK Government has set a target to increase offshore wind capacity to 40GW by 2030, around four times what we currently have. The Extension Projects will make an important contribution to the UK’s decarbonisation goals, along with providing benefits to local communities through local jobs and economic opportunities.”

The existing Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is owned by Equinor, Green Investment Group and Equitix through joint-venture company Scira Offshore Energy Limited, and Equinor is the operator of the wind farm. Through the joint venture company Dudgeon Offshore Wind Limited, Dudgeon windfarm is owned by Equinor, Masdar and China Resources Power.

The Sheringham Shoal shareholders have signed an agreement to allow Equinor to fully develop Sheringham Shoal Extension. Equinor is currently the sole owner of the project, with the partners retaining the right to re-enter the project during the construction phase. Dudgeon Extension is owned jointly by Equinor, Masdar and China Resources Power.

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