UK gives go-ahead to ‘world’s largest offshore wind farm’

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has approved plans to build “the world’s largest offshore wind farm” off the coast of Lincolnshire and Norfolk – just a week after officially opening the current holder of that title in the Thames estuary.

A statement from DECC, released on Thursday, confirms that energy secretary Ed Davey has given the green light for the construction of the project, as well as the construction of an onshore wind farm in Wales.

Only last week, Davey, accompanied by David Cameron, opened the world’s current largest wind farm, the London Array, which is set to be overshadowed by the new project, called Triton Knoll.

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The two new wind farms will together create a total of 1,430 jobs and power nearly a million homes. DECC says they will also attract some £4 billion of investment into the UK.

Davey said, “The investments by Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Limited and Vattenfall are testament to the power of inward investment in the UK.”

The permission was granted by Davey following the unveiling of a new policy by the coalition government that could give communities greater powers to block future wind developments.

The constructions at both sites are said to bring long-term economic value to the UK, with developer Vattenfall promising an annual £1.8m injection into community funds for the 25-year lifespan of the wind farm in south Wales.

Davey added, “We have provided certainty early to onshore and offshore wind investors and now see significant investment decisions being made that will benefit the UK’s economy for years to come.” 

Further reading:

PM and energy secretary open world’s largest offshore wind farm

175 turbines now turning at world’s largest offshore wind farm

Unclear government policies threaten UK offshore wind prosperity

Report says UK dominates offshore wind market

The Guide to Limitless Clean Energy 2013