Plans for the world’s biggest offshore wind farm have been hampered by fears that the noise of construction will disturb…
Advertisement
In what Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark dubbed “as a marker of the UK’s status as a global leader in offshore wind”, the windfarm will consist of 300 turbines that will have the capability of generating enough electricity to power 1.8 million homes.
The Hornsea Project Two scheme would see 300 turbines built 55 miles (88 km) off the East Yorkshire coast and provide enough electricity to power nearly two million homes.
Hornsea Project Two would create up to 1,960 construction jobs as well as 580 operational and maintenance jobs, and could be worth up to £6 billion. If built to the full capacity, the investment would total about £6bn.
The Hornsea Project Two offshore windfarm is located 89km off the Yorkshire coast.
Danish utility Dong Energy has secured approval from the United Kingdom government for the development of the $7.8bn Hornsea 2 offshore wind farm in the North Sea.
Dong Energy UK Chairman Brent Cheshire said: “Development consent for Hornsea Project Two is very welcome”.
The research offers a boost to those offshore wind developers who have argued in recent weeks that they stand ready to tackle any energy gap that may result if the government’s opts to shelve the controversial Hinkley Point project. Dong said the Development Consent Order (DCO) approved Clark covers the entire project including the turbines, foundations, offshore and onshore substations, array cables and export cables.
The RSPB says its 2050 Energy Vision publication shows it is possible to have a low-carbon, high-renewable energy future in harmony with the UK’s nature and has developed maps to show where offshore technologies can be delivered. Offshore wind’s costs have fallen dramatically in the past few years, and it is on course to become competitive with new nuclear and gas.
The Hornsea Zone is more than twice the size of Greater London.
Advertisement
The announcement received a warm welcome from sections of the renewable energy industry.
