OVERVIEW
Hornsea 3 is a nationally significant offshore wind development located approximately 120 km off the North Norfolk coast. Once complete, it will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm, with a generating capacity of around 2.9 GW. Enough to power more than 3 million homes across the UK.
The project is a central part of the UK Government’s ambition to deliver 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030 under the British Energy Security Strategy, supporting both energy security and the transition to a low-carbon future.
CREATE’S ROLE
Create has supported Ørsted on Hornsea 3 since 2018, having initially been appointed to take over Transport and Infrastructure work during the Development Consent Order (DCO) stage. We were selected for our local expertise and understanding of Norfolk’s infrastructure sensitivities.
Following DCO approval in December 2020, we competitively tendered for and won ‘Lot 3: Traffic and Transport’ under Ørsted’s Post-Consent Onshore Management & Compliance Works, which has seen us supporting principal contractors with technical advice and regulatory compliance across the onshore infrastructure programme including cable routes, landfall, and associated energy facilities to the south of Norwich including a major substation.
Our involvement has since expanded across the full project lifecycle delivering services across Acoustics, Air Quality, Civil Engineering, Geo-environmental, Structures, Transport & Highways, and Utilities.
Our roles, technical services and outputs to date have included:
- Transport Assessment (TA) to support the DCO application
- Construction Traffic Management Plans (CTMPs)
- Environmental technical input and planning support
- Expert Witness services during the DCO examination
- Section 6 Agreements and utility diversion coordination
- Abnormal Indivisible Load (AIL) and Minor Works approvals
- Ground investigations and soakage testing
- Traffic and transport strategy for onshore infrastructure delivery
- Noise, vibration and air quality monitoring and reporting
- Bridge inspections and structural assessments
- Contractor support and Clerk of Works services
CHALLENGES
Hornsea 3 has presented a complex and evolving set of challenges across our six years of involvement to date. During the DCO stage, the transport assessment needed to address intricate access and logistics issues across Norfolk, with expert witness evidence required to defend our technical position at examination. Post-consent, coordinating utility diversions, securing statutory agreements, and managing Abnormal Indivisible Load approvals across multiple highway authorities required sustained stakeholder engagement and regulatory expertise.
Among the most demanding logistical undertakings was the transportation of large electrical transformers from King’s Lynn Port to the new converter station at Swardeston, south of Norwich. These units were carried on 28-axle girder frame trailers measuring up to 85 metres in length, with a gross weight of up to 350 tonnes, travelling at speeds of up to 12 mph. Movements were powered by two 250-tonne capacity tractor units and supported by specialist teams responsible for trailer operation and ground safety management. Each delivery required detailed route assessments, swept path analysis, and carefully planned traffic management to ensure safe and efficient operation across the Norfolk road network.
Throughout construction, the scale and duration of onshore works have demanded continuous technical and environmental monitoring, with compliance data reported to multiple authorities in real time. Maintaining continuity of service and client relationships across Ørsted’s evolving project management team over six years has also been an ongoing challenge, with dedicated Project Manager Paul Zanna central to ensuring consistency throughout.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND BENEFITS
Development Consent Order approval for Hornsea 3 was secured on 31 December 2020, unlocking a nationally significant infrastructure project and a critical component of the UK’s clean energy programme. Create’s expert witness input and technical transport work played a direct role in achieving that consent. Since approval, our ongoing involvement in the onshore construction programme has ensured Ørsted and its principal contractors have had the right reports, consents, and technical support at every stage.
Our strong regional knowledge, combined with long-standing relationships with local authorities and stakeholders, has enabled streamlined approvals and effective delivery of complex works. Norfolk County Council now trust us to work autonomously, with very few approvals required. This has contributed to a robust and deliverable strategy for onshore infrastructure, supporting the wider success of the Hornsea 3 project and its role in delivering long-term, sustainable energy for the UK.
TESTIMONIAL
“I am writing with excellent news, we have (finally) secured a DCO for Hornsea Three! Thank you so much for your hard work well beyond examination, it is definitely reflected in the decision we have achieved.”
Celestia Godbehere, Environment Manager, UK Consents, Development Offshore at Ørsted
“Paul, I just wanted to add my personal thanks for all your hard work in supporting us in all things traffic and transport for Hornsea 3. I can honestly say that your technical expertise and drive to deliver the results we needed was invaluable, and very likely kept me sane during the Examination process. You were a pleasure to work with, under what was very challenging circumstances. Please extend the thanks to your team.”
Sarah Drljaca, Consents Manager at Ørsted UK
Last Updated: Tuesday 5th April 2026
