RenewableUK has welcomed news that Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm, to be built off the east coast of England, has been given final consent by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey.
This major project will include up to 288 turbines and is due to have an installed capacity of up to 1.2 gigawatts of power- potentially enough to power up to 900,000 homes.
This project represents the last of the major Round 2 offshore wind projects to be approved. It has the potential to provide £3.6 billion investment and provide more than 800 jobs.
Director of Offshore Renewables Nick Medic said: “Today’s news is a historic step for the UK offshore wind industry. It is the biggest project consented so far anywhere in the world, and shows the UK’s offshore sector maturing to take on new challenges of scale. At 1.2GW Triton Knoll will generate enough electricity every year to supply the equivalent of 900,000 homes.”
“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. 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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Press release, July 11, 2013; Image: decc