Fourth Largest Offshore Wind Farm in UK is Approved

The U.K. Government’s plans for a low carbon future took another step closer today as Energy Secretary John Hutton announced the approval of the UK’s fourth largest offshore wind farm. The 315MW offshore wind farm (Sheringham Shoal) is planned off the coast of Norfolk.

The development by Scira Offshore Energy Ltd will comprise of up to 108 turbines, enough to power the equivalent of around 178,000i homes with clean, green electricity.

John Hutton said:

“This new wind farm demonstrates our commitment to dramatically increase the amount of energy we generate from renewable sources, helping to cut the UK’s carbon emissions and secure our energy supplies.

“Sheringham Shoal will be the UK’s fourth largest offshore wind farm approved to date and will help provide a significant contribution towards our renewable energy targets.

“Companies want to build here because we have made the UK one of the most attractive places to invest in wind power. By the end of 2009 a further 626MW of offshore wind power will be plugged in to the grid, making us world leaders.

“Through the Planning Bill, we are also looking to speed up the planning process for developers and to improve consultations to make sure wind farms are built in the right places.”

The Secretary of State has also granted consent to a 75MW onshore wind farm planned at Middlemoor near Alnwick in Northumberland. The development by Npower Renewables Ltd will comprise of 18 turbines, enough to power approximately 27,600ii homes - the equivalent of every home in both Alnwick and Berwick.

Both approvals for Middlemoor and Sheringham Shoal wind farms are conditional. Technical solutions to mitigate the effects to the Air Defence Radar at RAF Brizlee Wood and Trimmingham respectively must be found within the five year period of the consent. The Secretary of State at the Department for Business, following the fullest possible consultation with the Secretary of State for Defence, must be satisfied the impacts on these air defense radar are acceptable for the projects to proceed.

Today’s announcement adds to the momentum already building in wind energy:

* Wind has overtaken hydro power as the second largest renewable energy generation source in the UK in output terms, with a 30% growth (90MW) in offshore generating capacity between 2006 and 2007 alone

* Construction has started on the onshore infrastructure of the 504MW Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm

* E.ON and DONG are taking forward plans to build the 1000MW London Array - the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

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