DONG Energy Receives Consent To Build World’s Biggest Offshore Wind Farm
The UK Government has approved planning for the 1.8 GW Hornsea Project Two offshore wind farm, to be constructed by DONG Energy, which upon completion will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
The UK’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy announced this week that it had given planning consent to the Hornsea Project Two offshore wind farm. Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark made the announcement on Tuesday, a decision which was immediately welcomed by project developer, SMartWind, owned by Danish energy giant DONG Energy.
DONG Energy announced the acquisition of the entire Hornsea offshore wind development zone back in August of 2015, which at the time included the project rights to Hornsea Project Two and Three. Earlier this year, Project Three was split into Project Three and Four.
In February, DONG Energy further confirmed it would build the mammoth 1.2 GW Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm, which upon completion will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world, until DONG Energy completes construction of the whopping 1.8 GW Hornsea Project Two. With up to 300 turbines, the project could meet the electricity needs of approximately 1.6 million UK homes each year.
“Development consent for Hornsea Project Two is very welcome,” said Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy’s UK Country Chairman.
“We have already invested £6 billion in the UK, and Hornsea Project Two provides us with another exciting development opportunity in offshore wind.
“Hornsea Project Two is a huge potential infrastructure project which could provide enough green energy to power 1.6 million UK homes. A project of this size will help in our efforts to continue reducing the cost of electricity from offshore wind and shows our commitment to investing in the UK.”
“The UK’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,” added Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark. “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.”
The consent has unsurprisingly been thoroughly welcomed by the UK wind industry as well.
“Today’s announcement is the latest vote of confidence in the UK’s world-beating offshore wind market,” exclaimed RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, Hugh McNeal. “This huge infrastructure project will provide much-needed investment and energy security for our country. Offshore wind represents a massive economic opportunity to the UK and our coastal regions. It is creating new jobs and regenerating local communities.”
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