Another big North Sea wind farm approved
A new wind farm to be built in the North Sea has been approved by the government. The East Anglia Three project, developed by ScottishPower Renewables, was given consent by the Business Secretary, Greg Clark.
The 117 square mile (305km2) scheme may include up to 172 new turbines, producing 1,200 megawatts, enough to power 890,000 homes. The wind farm will be 46 miles off the Suffolk coast and is one of four being developed in the East Anglia Zone, which is controlled by the Crown Estate.
While the new wind farm will be in the same zone as the East Anglia One wind farm already under construction, it is a totally separate project.
In addition to the wind turbines, the plans include up to two meteorological masts, two monitoring buoys, four collector stations and an accommodation platform, as well as cables to the shore and onshore infrastructure.
A spokesman for the company said: ‘Consent has been given for up to 172 turbines, but the technology is developing rapidly and turbines are becoming more powerful, so we may not need to install the full number.’
ScottishPower Renewables is already building the East Anglia One wind farm and is developing plans for East Anglia One North and East Anglia two, although they have not yet reached the consultation phase.
Emma Pinchbeck, executive director of the UK trade body RenewableUK, said: ‘This huge clean energy project is a great example of how offshore wind can enable the Government’s Industrial Strategy. For more on offshore energy’s impact on sailors, see p44.