Hornsea 3 Windfarm Cable Route
Volker Fitzpatrick. Orsted. Norfolk
Aug 2022 - July 2026
Delivery of surveying, drainage design, pre and post construction drainage, and watercourse management to support a strategic 60 km energy cable corridor.
Project background and aims:
This project forms part of the onshore infrastructure for the Hornsea 3 offshore windfarm, delivered across a 60 km cable route running from Weybourne in North Norfolk to a new substation and battery storage facility at Swardeston near Norwich. The route crosses predominantly agricultural land, much of it actively farmed and reliant on established drainage systems. The primary aim was to ensure that electricity generated offshore could be transferred efficiently to the national grid, while protecting land productivity and existing water management arrangements. A key objective was to maintain effective surface and subsurface drainage throughout construction and to reinstate all affected land so it could continue to be farmed in exactly the same way following completion.
Scope of work carried out:
Extensive surveying and drainage design works were undertaken along the 60 km onshore cable route to support the installation of high-voltage electricity cables between Weybourne and Swardeston. A critical element of the work was understanding and managing existing drainage systems, watercourses and buried utilities across 84 separate landownership parcels. Bespoke drainage solutions were designed to maintain appropriate water levels during construction and following cable installation, ensuring land drainage performance was not compromised. Ongoing liaison with landowners formed an integral part of the delivery, enabling field-specific solutions to be implemented and ensuring land could be reinstated and returned to agricultural use in the same condition as prior to works.
Challenges or considerations:
The project was delivered over a number of years and required water management works to be carefully programmed alongside multiple concurrent engineering activities along the 60 km route. Drainage design and installation needed to accommodate the new cable infrastructure while integrating with numerous existing buried services and historic drainage systems. Consideration was also given to varying ground conditions and topography, as well as the requirements of individual landowners, ensuring that drainage performance and land use were maintained throughout construction and following reinstatement.
Outcome and results:
The water management works were delivered on time and in line with the wider construction programme, supporting the successful installation of the onshore cable route. Drainage performance was maintained across all affected land parcels, allowing fields to be reinstated and returned to agricultural use without long-term impact. The consistent application of tailored drainage solutions across the route contributed to effective project delivery and positive outcomes for landowners, the client and the wider scheme.
Project Feedback
We have had the pleasure of working with William Morfoot for the past 18 months on the Hornsea 3 onshore cable route where they have done both design and delivery of the land drainage for 54km. The way the teams have performed has been impressive with a very positive attitude to safety and the environment with a can do attitude. They are definitely a solution based company that I would work with again and recommend!
Peter Chartier, Project Director
C14991 – Hornsea 3 Onshore Cabling Works
William Morfoot Ltd have demonstrated they have a full understanding of the complexities of a large-scale infrastructure project. It is no mean feat to juggle – QHSE requirements, shifting timescales and landowner requirements. They have delivered above and beyond and their professionalism and willingness to do the right thing is to be commended.
Jack McPherson - Senior Land & Property Manager - Orsted.
C14991 – Hornsea 3 Onshore Cabling Works
A big thank you to William Morfoot for successfully delivering their turnkey land drainage solution for VolkerFitzpatrick on the Hornsea 3 onshore cable route project.The 52km scheme crossed three district councils in Norfolk and around 100 land plots, with works carried out all year-round to align with the main programme for our Client, Ørsted.William Morfoot’s design team carefully considered the unique needs of each plot, while their installation team consistently delivered high-quality work – rain or shine.At VolkerFitzpatrick, we set high standards in Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality – standards that William Morfoot share.From day one, William Morfoot showed a strong commitment to these values, and we’ve been thoroughly impressed by their proactive approach and thirst for continuous improvement.
James Darwent MEng CEng MICE Senior Project Manager
C14991 – Hornsea 3 Onshore Cabling Works
