Two of Three New UK Offshore Wind Farms Get Go Ahead

Two offshore wind farms which could generate enough electricity to power almost three quarters of a million homes given the go-ahead by the Government

The two approved wind farms at Race Bank and Dudgeon in the Greater Wash off the Norfolk coast will have a combined capacity of more than 1 gigawatt, potentially generating enough electricity to power 730,000 homes, reports 'Wales Online'.

A third offshore wind farm proposal at Docking Shoal, also off the Norfolk coast was not given the go-ahead because of the potential impact on Sandwich terns, whose colonies at Blakeney Point and Scolt Head Island fall within a Special Protected Area, which is protected under EU wildlife laws.

The total amount of offshore wind power now operational, under construction or consented has reached 6.6GW.

UK Energy minister Charles Hendry said: "The UK is racing ahead of the global field and these two new offshore wind farms underline this momentum. These two projects will not only bring us considerable amounts of clean energy, but significant investment and jobs too.