Engineering news
Government has given the green light for a huge offshore wind project 64 miles off the coast of Yorkshire, which will produce enough electricity to power 800,000 homes.
The Hornsea Project One scheme will be made up of three wind farms, totalling between 150 and 332 wind turbines.
Ministers said the project will support up to 2,500 local jobs and bring millions of pounds into the UK economy.
Energy and Climate Change secretary Ed Davey said: "Making the most of Britain's home grown energy is crucial to creating job and business opportunities in the UK, getting the best deal for consumers and reducing our reliance on foreign imports.
"Wind power is vital to this plan, with £14.5 billion invested since 2010 into an industry which supports 35,400 jobs."
Hornsea Project One, a joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH, and Dong Energy, and is one of eight renewable energy schemes awarded early contracts under a new scheme for green energy subsidies.
Consent for the project has been given on the condition that it has an employment and skills plan approved by North Lincolnshire Council, including local advertising of jobs and supply chain opportunities.
Industry body RenewableUK's director of offshore renewables, Nick Medic, said: "The green light for Hornsea is a much-needed boost for the offshore wind sector. It represents a vote of confidence from the government in our industry.
"We are one step closer to seeing the multitude of benefits that this ambitious project will bring to the region and to the UK as a whole - in terms of job creation, economic regeneration, generating clean electricity and increasing Britain's energy security."
Hornsea Project One is being developed by SMartWind - a consortium of Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Financial Services - and DONG Energy. Hornsea Project One is one of three projects for which DONG Energy was awarded Financial Investment Decision Enabling Contracts for Difference by the Government in April 2014. Mainstream’s offshore team were recently awarded consent for a 450MW offshore wind farm in Scotland.