London Array wind farm gets green light

The go-ahead has been given to plans to build the world’s largest windfarm off the Kent coast.

The organisations behind the London Array scheme have agreed to invest £2.2bn on the first phase of the project and work could be underway within weeks.

The 90-square-mile site will be built around 12 miles off the coast north of Margate and will feature almost 350 turbines – 175 of which will be built in phase one, which could be producing renewable power to homes by 2012.

On-shore work is set to start this summer with off-shore work to follow in early 2011.

The project will eventually displace the emission of 1.9tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

The three parties involved, DONG Energy, E.ON and Masdar announced the go-ahead for phase one after the UK Government recently proposed to increase its support for offshore wind power.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “The London Array is a flagship project in our drive to cut emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 and meet future energy needs.

“The UK is a world leader in offshore wind farms, creating jobs and prosperity for the economy. That's why we have increased our support for this technology as we move towards a low carbon future.”

He added: “E.ON, DONG Energy and Masdar are to be congratulated for their work on the London Array."

Anders Eldrup, CEO of DONG Energy, said: “I'm thrilled that we today also have the final investment decision on the London Array project.

“The decision to build the London Array offshore wind farm is a very significant cornerstone in DONG Energy’s strategy to increase the proportion of electricity generated from renewable energy sources.”

E.ON’s chief executive Dr Wulf Bernotat said: “I’m delighted that work can now get underway on the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

“Today’s announcement is proof that, if all interested parties work together, renewable power can be taken to its next level and so make a real difference to the fight against climate change.”

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of Masdar, said: "This project is a great achievement for the UK government, E.ON, DONG Energy and Masdar, which exemplifies our commitment to build cooperation to take renewable energy further down the path to widespread global adoption.”

The Government’s Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This is another green light for green energy. It’s a vote of confidence in the support the Government has put into backing renewable energy.

“The UK is already the world’s leading offshore wind power and this multi-billion pound project will help keep us there, cut our carbon emissions and contribute to secure energy supplies.”