Wind Farm Approval

The Government has given its approval to set up around 23 kilometers of wind farm off the coast in Suffolk, which will have the potential to supply power to nearly 415,000 homes.

The Greater Gabbard scheme, will be one of the largest in the country, supplying nearly 500 MW of electricity from 140 turbines and according to authorities, will help cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5 million tons a year, the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road.

Airtricity and Fluor, are the companies involved in developing the project, which in total will occupy some 150 square kilometers within the outer Thames Estuary wind farm area.

A government statement said the approval is given after a careful consideration of the possible impacts of the project on a range of environmental and other issues.Alistair Darling, secretary of state for trade and industry said the country needed more renewable energy as part of the mix of generation of electricity and the present project cuts emissions while powering homes.

Eddie O'Connor, chief executive officer of Airtricity, said the project is a major boon for the country. When the wind blows, free generation replaces generation that costs, he said, adding wind reduces risk because the cost of the power offered will be fixed in price and offers price benefits for the consumer.

Flour's managing director Patrick Flaherty said he hoped that the construction work of the project will start in time to support the government's 2010 renewables target. This is equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.