Rampion 2: Onshore cable route decided for windfarm expansion

The route for the Rampion 2 project will go from Climping Beach, just west of Littlehampton, North East up to Washington and eventually to the national grid at Bolney power station near Burgess Hill.

Rampion 2, which is an expansion of 90 turbines, could create 1,200 megawatts which would be enough to power the equivalent of more than 1 million homes.

A final submission will be submitted to the government’s planning inspectorate later this summer.

The route map that has been decided (Image: Rampion)

Construction could start around 2026/27 and the wind farm would be operational before the end of the decade.

“We have further consulted on alternative cable route options, which were driven by public feedback combined with ongoing engineering and environmental assessments", said Chris Tomlinson, development and stakeholder manager for RWE Renewables, the major shareholders.

"Our goal throughout has been to identify a cable route which best meets the needs of local communities, wildlife and the environment, while providing an economic connection solution.

“The most significant of these alternatives was the cable route section from Lyminster to Sullington Hill. Having considered feedback from our consultations, the Eastern route, also known as ‘Longer Alternative Cable Route 1’, has been selected for this part of the route.”

Rampion wind farm (Image: NQ Staff)

This was principally in order to protect ecology, avoiding the Warningcamp Hill and New Down Local Wildlife Site, and Ancient Woodland.

RWE said it also reflects feedback raised during consultations with the villages of Crossbush, Burpham and Wepham.

Once installed, electricity cables will be buried underground. The Rampion 2 team said it will work to reinstate the land back to its former condition as soon as possible after the works.

Mr Tomlinson added: “We know that prehistoric artefacts have been found on the South Downs before, so we will work with Historic England and local authorities to devise a system of archaeological investigation, as this could provide a rare and significant opportunity to find out more about how the South Downs were used in the past.”

Groups have previously raised concerns about the cables cutting "through the South Downs".

But the original Rampion wind farm combined with Rampion 2 will power the equivalent of all of the homes in Sussex twice over.