Government has given development consent for three new offshore wind farms to be built off the coast of Yorkshire that will support up to 2500 jobs.
The scheme, known as ‘Hornsea Project One’, will have a maximum capacity of 1200MW between the three farms – generating enough electricity to power more than 800,000 homes. Hornsea Project One is being taken forward by SMart Wind – a 50:50 joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures, and DONG Energy.
A development consent order granted by the Department of Energy & Climate Change authorises construction and operation of up to 332 wind turbines and associated onshore and offshore infrastructure. The project is scheduled to commence operation by 2020.
Project One will be located 120km off the Yorkshire coast and will cover approximately 407km2. It is the first development proposed within the Hornsea wind farm zone, which has a maximum capacity of 4000MW.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “With around 2,500 local green jobs on the horizon, this is another great boost for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.”
“Making the most of Britain’s home grown energy is crucial to creating job and business opportunities in the UK, getting the best deal for consumers and reducing our reliance on foreign imports.”
DONG Energy Vice President of UK Wind Power Benj Sykes said: “Development consent for Hornsea Project One is very welcome. This is an exciting project that will be a world first in terms of its size and location, and it has the potential to power up to 800,000 UK homes.”
Siemens acts as financing and technology partner in the joint venture. It recently announced its intention to invest in wind turbine production facilities in Hull that could produce the Hornsea turbines.
In November 2014 Fugro GeoConsulting was revealed to have won a £13M contract to carry out geotechnical surveys for Project One. This is one of the largest geotechnical contracts yet awarded in UK offshore wind.
