Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design, engineering, and environmental consulting, has provided a range of infrastructure consenting services to support a successful Development Consent Order (DCO) decision for the North Falls Offshore Windfarm. The DCO was granted by the Secretary of State on 14 May 2026.
North Falls, developed by RWE and SSE Renewables, is a proposed extension of up to 57 new wind turbines to the existing Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm off the East Anglian coast. With a maximum installed generating capacity of up to a gigawatt, North Falls would be capable of generating enough clean, low-carbon electricity to power the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of UK homes each year once fully operational.
A vital milestone in UK’s offshore wind journey
The windfarm is a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) with an offshore array area of 95 square kilometres and required a DCO to move forward.
Stantec supported the scheme from the outset with a range of interdisciplinary planning and consenting services to deliver the DCO application. The project was able to draw on Stantec’s extensive experience in the development and delivery of renewables and major infrastructure projects.
Stantec’s teams provided comprehensive infrastructure advisory, planning, and programme management services for North Falls, supporting the project from pre-application, through to the planning statement, needs case, the delivery of the DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate, and subsequent examination. Throughout the DCO process, Stantec worked closely with the Planning Inspectorate, communities, and relevant local authorities to guide and shape the successful application.
Offshore complexity
The project proposals comprise two major offshore substations as well as complex onshore and offshore infrastructure, with 24 kilometres of onshore export cables entering the national electricity network. It is expected that the project would unlock significant long-term employment and economic opportunities in the region. The scheme serves as one of Stantec’s largest renewables project consents in England to date.
Commenting on the positive decision, Nancy MacDonald, regional business lead for Infrastructure at Stantec in the UK and Ireland, said: “This milestone shows the value of our deep DCO experience and why collaborative working across sectors and disciplines is so important for these types of schemes.
“Our team’s attention to detail and hands-on approach to complex projects have helped drive this significant renewable energy project through a vital stage in its journey. We’re excited to see the integral role it will play in the UK’s low-carbon energy mix.”
The delivery of North Falls is subject to the project securing a route to market and final investment decisions by the joint venture shareholders in line with their respective investment returns criteria.
Stantec’s client offering spans the full life cycle of energy and infrastructure projects, from strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to technical delivery and post-consent support.
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Media Contact
Calum Metcalfe
Stantec Media Relations
calum.metcalfe@stantec.com