The energy company behind plans to double the size of two wind farms off the north Norfolk coast is hopeful that a decision to approve the expansion project will be made by early next year.

Norwegian energy giant Equinor plans to expand its Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms to power 1.5 million homes.

The Planning Inspectorate accepted an application for a ‘development consent order’ from Equinor in October last year, and the energy company now hopes the secretary of state will sign off the plans in early 2024.

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North Norfolk News: The proposed expansion areas of Equinor's Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms off the north

Kari Hege Mork, Equinor’s project director for the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon expansion, said wind farms in the North Sea are the “epicentre” of the company’s offshore portfolio.

Speaking at the East of England Energy Group's (EEEG) Southern North Sea Conference and Exhibition at the Norfolk Showground, said: “We are delighted to see how significant offshore wind has become in the East of England.

“The North Sea is a hub of innovation for us, and we want to build on the backbone of our current assets - proposing to increase the capacity of our existing Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farms.”

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Sheringham Shoal is around 17kms (10 miles) off Weybourne at its nearest point to shore.

The two wind farms currently consist of 155 turbines, and although 95 turbines are planned as part of the expansion, they will be much bigger than the ones already in place – taller than the Eiffel Tower at 330m.

North Norfolk News: A size comparison showing the planned new wind turbines to be built next to the existing turbines off the north Norfolk coast.A size comparison showing the planned new wind turbines to be built next to the existing turbines off the north Norfolk coast. (Image: Equinor)

Equinor, which has operated in the UK for 40 years, hopes the expansion of the two wind farms will contribute towards its ambition to be net zero by 2050, and for 50pc of its operations to be in renewable and carbon projects.