UK govt approves world’s largest wind farm

The UK's department of energy and climate change has given its approval for the world's largest offshore wind farm project off the Lincolnshire coast, east of England, which will be constructed by electricity producer RWE npower Plc, a subsidiary of German utility giant RWE AG.

The proposed Triton Knoll project is twice the size of the 630-megawatt (MW) London Array, the largest operating wind farm in the world, which was opened just a week ago by British prime minister David Cameron.

The new wind farm to be built at an estimated cost of £3.6 billion ($5.5 billion) will be located 33 km east of Lincolnshire in the North Sea. It will consist of 288 turbines generating 1,200 MW. The project, when completed in 2020, will create around 1,130 jobs and provide electricity to 820,000 households.

Simultaneously, the government has given its green light for a £400-million onshore wind farm in Pen y Cymoedd (meaning 'Head of the valleys') in South Wales, which will be constructed by Vattenfall UK, the British subsidiary of Swedish energy major Vattenfall.

Secretary of state for energy Edward Davey said, ''The investments by Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Limited and Vattenfall are a testament to the power of inward investment in the UK.''

''These two projects will attract billions in investment into the UK, support hundreds of skilled green jobs in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and in the county boroughs of Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf whilst providing homes with clean energy,'' Davey further said.

Welcoming the decision, Triton Knoll project manager Jacob Hain said, ''This is a crucial milestone and means we are one step close to being able to deliver this much needed energy infrastructure.''

Swindon, England-based RWE npower, formerly known as Innology Plc, was acquired by RWE in 2002. The company operates a number of coal, natural gas, oil-fired and renewable energy power stations across the UK. It supplies gas and electricity to customers in the UK, and also provides energy equipment maintenance and repair services.

The onshore infrastructure of the mega project is not included in the current approval. The facilities would include RWE's cable landfall at Anderby Creek, underground cabling to reactive substation south west of Skegness and the main substation at Bicker.

There is widespread opposition by the local communitiesto RWE's onshore facilities.

''The county council remains totally opposed to these proposals by RWE,'' executive councillor for the environment Colin Davie  said.

''We believe there's a better way of getting the power onshore which will not harm the Lincolnshire countryside or the attractiveness of Skegness as one of the country's best tourist destinations.''

He favoured a connection route along the seabed to Walpole, north Norfolk.

The Pen y Cymoedd wind farm is expected to provide around 300 permanent jobs and supply power to 140,000 homes. The construction of the 76 turbines in the farm is scheduled to begin in 2014 with first power being generated for the national grid in late 2016.

Swedish government-owned utility firm Vattenfall has also agreed to invest £1.8 million annually into community funds for the 25-year life of the wind farm.

''We have provided certainty early to onshore and offshore wind investors and now see significant investment decisions being made that will benefit the UK's economy for years to come,'' the secretary said.