WIREDGOV

Fourth largest offshore wind farm in UK is approved

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/166) issued by The Government News Network on 8 August 2008

The Government's plans for a low carbon future took another step closer today as Energy Secretary John Hutton announced the approval of the UK's fourth largest offshore wind farm.

The 315MW offshore wind farm (Sheringham Shoal) is planned off the coast of Norfolk. The development by Scira Offshore Energy Ltd will comprise of up to 108 turbines, enough to power the equivalent of around 178,000i homes with clean, green electricity.

John Hutton said:

"This new wind farm demonstrates our commitment to dramatically increase the amount of energy we generate from renewable sources, helping to cut the UK's carbon emissions and secure our energy supplies.

"Sheringham Shoal will be the UK's fourth largest offshore wind farm approved to date and will help provide a significant contribution towards our renewable energy targets.

"Companies want to build here because we have made the UK one of the most attractive places to invest in wind power. By the end of 2009 a further 626MW of offshore wind power will be plugged in to the grid, making us world leaders.

"Through the Planning Bill, we are also looking to speed up the planning process for developers and to improve consultations to make sure wind farms are built in the right places."

The Secretary of State has also granted consent to a 75MW onshore wind farm planned at Middlemoor near Alnwick in Northumberland. The development by Npower Renewables Ltd will comprise of 18 turbines, enough to power approximately 27,600ii homes - the equivalent of every home in both Alnwick and Berwick.

Both approvals for Middlemoor and Sheringham Shoal wind farms are conditional. Technical solutions to mitigate the effects to the Air Defence Radar at RAF Brizlee Wood and Trimmingham respectively must be found within the five year period of the consent. The Secretary of State at the Department for Business, following the fullest possible consultation with the Secretary of State for Defence, must be satisfied the impacts on these air defence radar are acceptable for the projects to proceed.

Today's announcement adds to the momentum already building in wind energy:

* Wind has overtaken hydro power as the second largest renewable energy generation source in the UK in output terms, with a 30% growth (90MW) in offshore generating capacity between 2006 and 2007 alone

* Construction has started on the onshore infrastructure of the 504MW Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm

* E.ON and DONG are taking forward plans to build the 1000MW London Array - the world's largest offshore wind farm.

Notes to editors:

1. Consent has been granted to Scira Offshore Energy Ltd (a joint venture between StatoilHydro and Evelop Projects, an operating company of sustainable energy company Econcern) under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the construction and operation of a 315MW offshore wind farm off the Norfolk coast.

2. The Marine and Fisheries Agency has also granted a licence to Scira Offshore Energy Ltd under the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985 and the Coast Protection Act 1949 for the Sheringham Shoal project.

3. Sheringham Shoal is the first Round 2 wind farm to be consented in the Greater Wash Strategic Area. It is the fourth largest offshore wind farm approved (after London Array and Greater Gabbard in the Thames Estuary, and Walney in the North West).

Scira PR & Communications Manager, Sue Vincent. M: 07768 508742 Email: info@scira.co.uk

4. Consent has been granted to npower renewables Ltd under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the construction and operation of a 75MW onshore wind farm at Middlemoor, North Charlton, Alnwick, Northumberland.

Annemarie Taylor, Senior PR Officer, Npower Renewables Ltd
T: 01793 892053
M: 07825 995656
Email: annemarie.taylor@rwe.com
Claire Smith, PR Officer, npower renewables
T: 01793 894330
M: 07500 226798
Email: claire.smith@rwe.com

5. The Government's Renewable Energy Strategy consultation was launched on 26th June 2008. It is seeking views on how to drive up the use of renewable energy in the UK, as part of our overall strategy for tackling climate change and to meet our share of the EU target to source 20% of the EU's energy from renewable sources by 2020. Responses to the consultation will help shape the UK Renewable Energy Strategy which will be published in spring 2009, once the UK's share of the target has been agreed.

6. Five offshore wind farms are currently under construction in UK waters: Eon's Robin Rigg A and B (180MW), npower's Rhyl Flats (90MW), Centrica's Lynn and Inner Dowsing (184MW). Construction on onshore works has also commenced on three further offshore wind farms, DONG's Gunfleet Sands I and II (172MW) due to commission in 2009 and SSE's 504MW Greater Gabbard due to commission in 2011.

7. In 2007 total electricity generation from renewables increased by 1,548GWh (8.5%) to 19,664 GWh. Generation from wind (both onshore and offshore) overtook hydro to become the largest renewables technology in output terms, with both closely followed by landfill gas.

8. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform helps UK business succeed in an increasingly competitive world. It promotes business growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads the better regulation agenda and champions free and fair markets. It is the shareholder in a number of Government-owned assets and it works to secure, clean and competitively priced energy supplies.

i Figure provided by developer
ii Figure provided by developer