East Anglia One windfarm has been approved by the Government in plans which could see it become one of the largest windfarms in the world.
Proposals for the massive windfarm of up to 240 turbines, off the coast of Suffolk, would see a £520 million investment. This would then supply up to 820,000 homes with electricity and create nearly 2,900 jobs during construction and operation. According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc), some 1,800 jobs would be supported locally by the development, and has the potential to generate half a billion pounds for the East Anglian economy, including £10 million a year upon completion.
Currently, the largest UK windfarm is London Array, located 20 km off the coast of Kent, and has 175 turbines. The official website of the London Array (londonarray.com) claims it can power almost half a million homes.
Ben Stafford, head of Public Affairs at WWF-UK, stated: "Today's decision is a strong vote of confidence for the UK's offshore wind sector. Climate change is the biggest threat facing our oceans and seas globally, and is already impacting on the UK's rich marine environment. It's therefore vital that we find ways to harness the clean energy that marine renewables, such as offshore wind, can provide. Projects at this scale will also help to reduce costs, boost jobs and investment, and help keep the lights on."
More information is available on East Anglia One at: eastangliawind.com
