News that the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has awarded an investment contract for the planned Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm off Norfolk received positive feedback in the East of England Energy Zone (EEEZ).
EEEZ inward investment director James Gray said: “Dudgeon is a key project for us, being only 20 miles off Cromer and with the developers already confirming that Great Yarmouth port will be the base for its operations and maintenance work. It’s another significant step forward in a breakthrough year for the region – and there’s more to come, particularly with more news of the East Anglia Offshore Windfarm Zone development off Norfolk expected in summer.”
The government awarded the investment contract as one of eight under a new subsidy regime to eight projects – including five offshore windfarms – which give renewable power generators the guarantee of a minimum electricity price over 15 years – the so-called strike price.
Mr Gray said developers would be under strong Government pressure to include a substantial level of UK input into the projects which again created many opportunities for the region.
“Our location delivers real logistical cost savings particularly for assembly, construction and key areas of manufacturing like foundations, blades and cable,” he added.
Dudgeon is expected to have an installed capacity of 402MW, equating to enough energy to power up to approximately 410,000 homes. It is owned by two Norwegian companies, Statoil (70%) and Statkraft (30%), who most recently worked together to develop and operate the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, the 88-turbine power plant [317MW] also off the North Norfolk coast.
Press Release, April 28, 2014; Image: tmsmedia