Thanks to the generous support of long term premium partners RWE and Rampion Offshore Wind, Sarah Dobson, Programme Manager for The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere, was invited to take part in an eye opening tour of the Rampion Operations Base and offshore wind farm, located just beyond the boundary of our beautiful Biosphere in Sussex.

Perfect sea conditions offered a clear view of the turbines that rise as landmarks of renewable energy on our coast. It was a rare opportunity to see first hand how clean energy is generated at scale and to learn more about the operations that keep Rampion running efficiently and safely.

Why Rampion matters

Rampion is England’s first major offshore wind farm, supplying electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes and helping to cut carbon emissions across the region. Sitting 13 to 25 kilometres off the Sussex coast between Worthing and Newhaven, and covering an area of 72 square kilometres in the English Channel. It is home to 116 turbines, each standing 140 metres tall to the tip of the blade. The blades themselves measure 55 metres in length and sweep an area larger than the London Eye with every rotation.

The wind farm has a maximum generating capacity of 400 megawatts. This is enough electricity to power the equivalent of 350,000 homes each year, which is about half of all the homes in Sussex. By producing this renewable power, Rampion offsets around 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually compared with fossil fuel generation.

The project also supports hundreds of jobs. From construction and operations to marine ecology and maintenance, Rampion has created opportunities both onshore and offshore. It continues to invest in education and community engagement, helping people of all ages understand the role renewable energy plays in the transition to Net Zero.

A day of shared learning

The visit was hosted by the Rampion team, including Kelvin Macleod, who shared insights on turbine technology, marine operations, safety and how offshore wind supports the UK journey to Net Zero. From grid connections and maintenance schedules to ecology monitoring and community engagement, the morning brought the story of Rampion to life for all of our partners.

Visits like this strengthen connections and highlight the collective role everyone plays in shaping a greener Sussex. Bringing together partners from across sectors is central to the Biosphere mission.

Looking ahead

As the world faces climate change and biodiversity loss, projects like Rampion show what is possible when we invest in renewable energy at scale. They also highlight the importance of partnerships between local authorities, conservation organisations, universities and businesses in driving meaningful action.

Thank you to RWE, Rampion Offshore Wind and Kelvin Macleod for hosting, and to all the partners who joined.