Giant Humber Gateway offshore wind farm gets green light
Energy giant E.on has today received planning permission for its proposed 230MW Humber Gateway offshore wind farm, again underlining the North East’s position as a vital hub for the booming offshore wind industry.
The announcement, which comes just weeks after wind turbine manufacturer Siemens announced it is to locate a new factory on Humberside, will allow E.on to move forward with plans to install 77 turbines 8km off the Yorkshire coast.
The company is now expected to kick off the tender process for the project later this year with a view to having the wind farm up and running by 2014. When the facility is completed it will provide clean energy for up to 170,000 homes.
The development will represent E.on’s fifth offshore wind farm, after Blyth, Scroby Sands, Robin Rigg and its stake in the London Array.
Michael Lewis, managing director for E.ON’s European renewables business, said the project was “further recognition of our expertise in the sector generally and in offshore wind in particular”.
The announcement was welcomed by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne, who is today meeting with representatives from across the offshore wind industry to discuss how the government’s proposed electricity market reforms will impact the centre.
“Offshore wind not only provides clean, green, secure energy, the investment that comes with it is great for the UK economy too,” he said. “A new wind farm off the Humberside coast will be a further jobs and investment boost for the region, hot on the heels of Siemens’ announcement of plans to develop the Port of Hull.”
The latest developments comes at a busy time for the UK’s offshore wind energy sector as a number of turbine manufacturers, including Gamesa and GE, prepare to announce the location for new turbine manufacturing plants.
However, some within the sector are concerned about the way in which the government’s proposed electricity market reforms will result in a move away from the current subsidy regime under the Renewable Obligation scheme.
Meanwhile, manufacturers have expressed concerns that a potential two year gap between the current round of projects and the proposed Round 3 developments could lead to a hiatus in orders for many of the firms within the supply chain.
The announcement, which comes just weeks after wind turbine manufacturer Siemens announced it is to locate a new factory on Humberside, will allow E.on to move forward with plans to install 77 turbines 8km off the Yorkshire coast.
The company is now expected to kick off the tender process for the project later this year with a view to having the wind farm up and running by 2014. When the facility is completed it will provide clean energy for up to 170,000 homes.
The development will represent E.on’s fifth offshore wind farm, after Blyth, Scroby Sands, Robin Rigg and its stake in the London Array.
Michael Lewis, managing director for E.ON’s European renewables business, said the project was “further recognition of our expertise in the sector generally and in offshore wind in particular”.
The announcement was welcomed by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne, who is today meeting with representatives from across the offshore wind industry to discuss how the government’s proposed electricity market reforms will impact the centre.
“Offshore wind not only provides clean, green, secure energy, the investment that comes with it is great for the UK economy too,” he said. “A new wind farm off the Humberside coast will be a further jobs and investment boost for the region, hot on the heels of Siemens’ announcement of plans to develop the Port of Hull.”
The latest developments comes at a busy time for the UK’s offshore wind energy sector as a number of turbine manufacturers, including Gamesa and GE, prepare to announce the location for new turbine manufacturing plants.
However, some within the sector are concerned about the way in which the government’s proposed electricity market reforms will result in a move away from the current subsidy regime under the Renewable Obligation scheme.
Meanwhile, manufacturers have expressed concerns that a potential two year gap between the current round of projects and the proposed Round 3 developments could lead to a hiatus in orders for many of the firms within the supply chain.
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