AN INFORMAL consultation on expanding the Rampion wind farm has been launched.

The plan would see the existing wind farm double in size, adding 116 new turbines off the coast of Sussex.

The site would be connected to the national grid through an underground cable stretching from Climping to Bolney.

The four-week Rampion 2 consultation aims to raise “awareness and seek feedback” on the proposals to expand the wind farm.

Depending on the final scheme, Rampion 2 could power more than one million homes in the UK and reduce carbon emissions by around 1.8 million tonnes per year.

Chris Tomlinson, development and stakeholder manager of Rampion 2, said: “For the past 18 months, we have undertaken a series of desktop studies and site surveys to establish the physical lay of the land.

“We have also been talking with many local authorities, MPs, parish councils and experts on wildlife, environment, transport, geology, archaeology, business and fishing.

“We will use the results of our investigations and stakeholder engagement to identify the best possible sites for the onshore and offshore project elements while minimising disturbance to the local community and environment in delivering this vital green energy project.

“At this early stage, we would very much welcome feedback from the Sussex community so that we are aware of all local issues, concerns and constraints as we prepare more detailed proposals for a formal public consultation later this year.”

A full and formal consultation will follow later in the year, ahead of the submission of a development consent application to build the new, clean energy infrastructure project.

In autumn last year, it was announced that an offshore area was being assessed for a maximum of up to 116 turbines, the same number as the existing Rampion offshore wind farm.

The results of technical and environmental surveys and stakeholder feedback will be used to identify the optimum site for the new wind farm.

If consent is awarded, construction would begin in 2025/26 at the “earliest” with a view to having a completed, operational project before the end of the decade.

At the time of the assessment, Mr Tomlinson said: “Rampion is the only wind farm off the south coast of England and this densely populated region is where much of the electricity demand is concentrated.

“Offshore wind is now cheaper than gas, nuclear and coal and creates tens of thousands of jobs. The government is committed to quadrupling our offshore wind capacity. Rampion 2 is an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to this important target and tackle climate change.”