7th October 2026 in Construction updates
VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd have been awarded an early involvement contract for the civils works on the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extensions project relating to the onshore export cable.
The contract includes engineering services and surveys in the near term, with the contract for cable installation to be progressed at a later stage once a future construction date is confirmed. Surveys will commence along the cable route in Q3/4 2026 and continue into 2027.
Early collaboration with VolkerFitzpatrick will draw on local experience, apply lessons learned, and help minimise disruption during future construction. Announcements regarding local supply chain engagement will be made at a later stage as details become available.
10th April 2026 in Community news
Read about the latest stories from Equinor’s offshore wind activities in Norfolk in the Spring 2026 edition of the Norfolk Newsletter. This issue highlights how we’re creating opportunities for local people, supporting communities and helping to inspire the next generation of offshore wind professionals.
Inside, you can read about a marine design challenge that gave students the opportunity to tackle a real-world offshore wind project, learn about the latest progress on the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extension Projects, and explore Windscape, the interactive visitor centre at Sheringham Museum.
The newsletter also features insights from local work experience placements, updates from Norfolk Stakeholder Manager Sophie Skipp, and examples of how community funding is helping to support village halls, community facilities and STEM education initiatives across the county.
Whether you’re interested in renewable energy, local community projects, education or the future of offshore wind in Norfolk, this edition offers a fascinating insight into the people and projects shaping the region’s energy future.
Read the newsletter here.
19th December 2025 in Construction updates
Trial trenching archaeology work commenced at a small number of locations along the onshore cable corridor route during the summer, serving as a pre-cursor to a much more intense programme of activity scheduled for 2026.
Trial trenching is a rapid form of investigation and evaluation used to estimate the archaeological potential of a site; it involves digging trenches at intervals across the chosen site, which is usually agricultural land, whilst leaving the rest of the site untouched,
Based on the evaluation of the trial trenching, Norfolk County Council Historic Environmental Service will decide whether further investigative archaeological work will need to be undertaken at a later date.
19th July 2025 in Construction updates
Good weather through the spring and early summer has enabled the metal detecting and geophysical survey stages of the archaeological investigations along the onshore cable corridor to be completed.
Analysis of the geophysical surveys, which enable the archaeologists to ‘see beneath the soil’ without disturbing the ground, have identified that further investigations involving trial trenching activities will need to be undertaken at various locations along the 42 mile route of the onshore cable corridor across the Norfolk countryside.
These trial trenching activities will commence shortly and will continue into 2026, although work will be curtailed during the winter when the ground is likely to be unsuitable for such work.
18th July 2025 in Community news
Discover the latest news from Equinor’s offshore wind activities in Norfolk in the Summer 2025 edition of the Norfolk Newsletter. This issue is packed with stories showcasing how offshore wind is supporting local communities, creating opportunities for young people, and helping to build the region’s clean energy future.
Inside, you can explore Windscape, the newly refurbished visitor centre at Sheringham Museum, which offers an interactive journey into the world of offshore wind and the energy transition. You’ll also find updates on the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extension Projects, including the latest progress on plans for the future of renewable energy in Norfolk.
The newsletter highlights the people behind the projects, from apprentices starting their careers in offshore wind to local businesses helping to support operations across the region. Readers can also learn about community initiatives funded through the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Community Funds, including support for local transport services, STEM education programmes and the Norwich Science Festival.
Read the newsletter here.
19th November 2024 in Construction updates
Since the grant of the Development Consent Order (DCO) earlier this year, work has been ongoing to discharge a number of the many onshore and offshore planning conditions which came with the Consent order.
Onshore, the first phase of archaeological surveys has been undertaken by Headland Archaeology at various locations along the onshore cable corridor from Weybourne on the North Norfolk coast to Swardeston, south of Norwich. These have included geophysical surveys, metal detecting and trial trenching.
Two further phases of archaeological surveys will take place during 2025 and 2026.
15th October 2024 in Community news
Discover the latest news and stories from Equinor’s offshore wind activities in Norfolk in the Autumn/Winter 2024 edition of our Norfolk Newsletter. From major operational milestones and renewable energy projects to community partnerships and education initiatives, this edition showcases how offshore wind is delivering benefits both at sea and onshore.
Inside, you’ll find updates from the teams behind the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farms, which help power more than 700,000 UK homes, as well as the latest progress on the proposed Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extension Projects. You can also learn how Equinor is working alongside other developers and stakeholders to support Norfolk’s energy future while minimising disruption to local communities.
The newsletter highlights some of the inspiring projects supported through our community funds, from STEM education programmes and careers initiatives to investments in local safety and wellbeing. You’ll also meet members of our stakeholder team, hear about community engagement activities across the region, and discover how local organisations are benefiting from partnerships with Equinor.
Read the newsletter here.
22nd April 2024 in Construction updates
On 17 April 2024, the UK Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero granted development consent for SEP and DEP.
Read more
18th July 2023 in Project news
On 21-22 June, PINS held the third round of examination hearings on SEP and DEP at the Kings’ Centre in Norwich.
Read more
11th April 2023 in Project news
On 22 – 31 March, PINS conducted the second set of examination hearings on SEP and DEP. The first week of hearings were held at the King’s Centre in Norwich and the second week were held at Fishmonger’s Hall at Gresham School in Holt. Recordings and transcripts of the hearings can be found on the PINS website here.
24th February 2023 in Events
- Event Date: 22nd March 2023 - 31st March 2023
- Location: Norwich and Holt
On 17 – 20 January, PINS conducted the first set of examination hearings on SEP and DEP at Blackfriars Hall in Norwich. Recordings and transcripts of the hearings can be found on the PINS website here.
A second round of hearings will take place soon, on 22 – 23 March at the King’s Centre in Norwich, and 29 – 31 March at Fishmonger’s Hall at Gresham School in Holt. To find out more about the hearings, the draft agenda and how to register attendance, please visit the PINS website.
8th December 2022 in Project news
On 5 September 2022, Equinor submitted an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for SEP and DEP to the Planning Inspectorate, who act on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). On 3 October, the Planning Inspectorate determined that the application met the standards to be accepted for examination. All of the documents that comprise the application are available to be viewed by the public on the Planning Inspectorate’s website here, or on this website below, as well as in person at North Norfolk Council Offices NR 27 9EN and Thorpe Lodge NR7 0DU.
Any person who was interested in becoming an ‘Interested Party’ could register and submit a Relevant Representation to the Planning Inspectorate by 14 November 2022. All of the representations that have been made are now available to view on the Planning Inspectorate’s website here. At this time, the project is now reviewing the relevant representations and preparing for the examination stage.
