Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark has approved the construction of the world’s biggest offshore wind farm.
The Hornsea Project Two scheme, which is set to be built off the coast of ÂYorkshire, could deliver up to
1.8 gigawatts (GW) of electricity – enough to power more than a million and-a-half UK homes.
The Business and Energy Secretary said: “Britain is a global leader in offshore wind, and we’re Âdetermined to be one of the leading destinations for investment in renewable energy, which means jobs and economic growth right across the country.”
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 £6billion.
Mr Clark added: “The UK’s offshore wind industry has grown at an extraordinary rate over the last few years, and is a fundamental part of our plans to build a clean, affordable, secure energy system.”
The company behind the project is yet to formally commit to funding it, however. Dong Energy said it will review the development consent it has been granted, and will then work towards making a final investment decision.
Mr Clark’s announcement comes after Dong Energy made the final Âinvestment decision earlier this year to construct the 1.2GW ÂHornsea Project One scheme, which will generate enough power for more than a million homes.
Hornsea Project Two would be located approximately 55 miles off the coast of Hull and would consist of up to 300 turbines.
The Government is expecting enough offshore wind capacity to be installed across the UK by 2020 to generate 10GW of power.
Brent Cheshire, Dong Energy’s UK chairman, said: “Development consent for Hornsea Project Two is very welcome. We have already invested £6billion in the UK, and Hornsea Project Two provides us with another exciting development opportunity in offshore wind.
“Hornsea Project Two is a huge Âpotential infrastructure project which could provide enough green energy to power 1.6 million UK homes.”
Dong Energy is in control of Hornsea Project One, Two and Three, earmarked to be built in the so-called Hornsea Zone, which represents one of the world’s largest allocated spaces for offshore wind development.
The zone is more than twice the size of Greater London.
Hornsea Project One is due to be located 74 miles off the Yorkshire coast and will cover about 157 square miles. It is expected to be operational by 2020.
The Project Two announcement received a warm welcome from Âsections of the renewable energy industry.
RenewableUK chief executive Hugh McNeal said: “Today’s announcement is the latest vote of confidence in the UK’s world-beating offshore wind market.”
