Britain to get world's largest offshore wind farm

British Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark has given the go-ahead to the world's largest offshore wind farm.

Clark on Tuesday gave development consent to the Hornsea project's two offshore wind farms after a recommendation from the country's planning inspectorate, Xinhua news agency reported.

When complete, the wind farm will deliver up to 1,800 MW of low carbon electricity to around 1.8 million British homes.

A spokesman for business and energy department said: "The wind farm would create up to 1,960 construction jobs and 580 operational and maintenance jobs. If built to the full capacity, the investment would total around 6 billion pounds ($7.8 billion) providing a great opportunity for economic growth in the Humber region and beyond."

 

Clark said: "Britain'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."

"Britain is a global leader in offshore wind, and we're determined to be one of the leading destinations for investment in renewable energy, which means jobs and economic growth right across the country," said Clark.

Located in the North Sea approximately 89 km off the Yorkshire coast, the wind farm will comprise up to 300 wind turbines and will connect to the power grid at North Killingholme in North Lincolnshire.