Two major new windfarm projects – one larger than the London Array – have been given the go-ahead by energy secretary Ed Davey.
The Triton Knoll farm, which will feature 288 turbines off the coast of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, is set to produce 1200MW once it is completed.
The £3.6billion project would be larger than the London Array, currently the world’s biggest offshore windfarm, which was officially opened last week.
Meanwhile the Pen Y Cymoedd farm, which will see £400million being invested by Vattenfall, will see 76 turbines being built in South Wales.
Work on the welsh farm is due to begin next year, with power being generated for the national grid from 2016.
Davey hailed the projects as a major investment into green energy provision for the country.
“These two projects will attract billions in investment into the UK, support hundreds of skilled green jobs in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and in the county boroughs of Neath Port
Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf whilst providing homes with clean energy,” he said.
“Only last week the Prime Minister opened the London Array, the largest operating wind farm in the world, and today we gave planning permission to build a bigger offshore wind farm and also welcome the go-ahead of the biggest onshore wind farm in England and Wales. Offshore and onshore wind is an important contributor to our energy mix.
“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.”
Approval of the Triton Knoll project was welcomed by RenewableUK.
“Following world leading projects such as the London Array, opened last week, Triton Knoll will demonstrate what offshore wind can do for the UK on a grand scale,” said Nick Medic, the group’s director of offshore renewables.
“The planning consent today keeps the country firmly at the forefront of offshore wind development and will help secure up to 20% of electricity from offshore wind per year by 2020.
“We now need to have the policy framework in place to Britain secures the rewards of this new energy revolution by maximising employment and creating opportunities for UK businesses.”
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