https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2017/08/government-approves-new-offshore-wind-farm/
Government approves new offshore wind farm
By Hilary Lamb
Published Tuesday, August 8, 2017
The UK government has approved plans for an offshore wind farm off the
coast of Suffolk which could provide power for hundreds of thousands of
families.
The East Anglia Three wind farm will be located over 40 miles off the
coast of Suffolk. It will have 172 giant turbines to generate 1.2GW:
enough to provide for 890,000 homes.
If the ambitious project secures subsidies under the “contracts for
difference” programme, construction could begin in 2022, with the wind
farm entering operation by 2025.
“The UK is the third-best country in the world at tackling climate
change and we’ve been clear in our commitment to supporting renewable
energy through our ambitious industrial strategy and smart systems
plan,” a spokesperson for the Department of Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy said.
“The East Anglia Three Offshore Wind Farm will unlock significant
economic benefits through the UK supply chain and create jobs while
helping to reduce our emissions.”
East Anglia Three will be one of four offshore wind farms developed by
ScottishPower Renewables in the area. These sites, the company has said,
could accommodate new, scaled-up turbines which reach two and a half
times the height of Big Ben and provide up to 12 MW each.
ScottishPower Renewables have described these larger turbines as one of
the cheapest forms of low-carbon electricity.
“Offshore wind has delivered on its promises from the outset,” said
Keith Anderson, chief executive of ScottishPower Renewables. “Our sector
has met every technical and political challenge, grown the UK’s supply
chain and improved the technology at a rapid pace to allow projects to
be deployed in ever harsher conditions.”
“In a little over a decade, our sector has delivered substantial amounts
of green electricity for the UK, supported billions of pounds of UK
investment and created thousands of high quality jobs.”
Once dismissed as expensive and inefficient, the cost of electricty
generated by offshore wind farms has dropped rapidly in recent years.
The decision to approve the offshore wind farm was welcomed by
RenewableUK, the UK’s leading renewable energy trade association. Emma
Pinchbeck, its executive director, described the farm as a “vote of
confidence in the UK’s world-leading offshore wind sector”, and an
example of how offshore wind can play a part in the government’s new
industrial strategy.
The Government’s new industrial strategy aims to equip British industry
for a post-Brexit existence and the long-term future, including
upgrading infrastructure and delivering clean energy solutions.
