Flagship Walney offshore wind farm one step closer to expansion
Walney Extension offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea has been given consent from the government to go ahead.
Walney Extension offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea has been given consent from the government to go ahead, which if built could triple the size of Walney Offshore wind farm, already one of the biggest wind farms in the world.
The wind farm is expected to create 230 new jobs over the four year construction period and around 185 jobs annually during the expected 25 year lifespan.
Once built, the wind farm would generate enough electricity to power over half a million homes.
The decision underlines how the government’s policies have made the UK the best place in the world to invest in offshore wind.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said:
“Another large wind farm is now closer to being built – and each one gives us more home-grown, clean and secure energy supplies.
“This Government has worked tirelessly to rebalance the economy and create more green jobs. This project alone is expected to create 230 new jobs during the construction phase and many more opportunities throughout the UK economy.
“Driving investment in energy has made us the top country in the world for investing in offshore wind.”
The Walney Extension project is one of five offshore wind projects that signed an early Contract for Difference under the new system for low-carbon electricity generation. As well as being the first contracts awarded under the system, they mark a new stage in the growth of the sector, bringing green jobs and growth across the UK and supporting cleaner and more secure energy.
Notes to editors
- All of figures provided are from the project’s application for development consent.
- The developers are Dong Energy Walney Extension (UK) Ltd.
- Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm will have a capacity of up to 750MW with up to 207 turbines.
- It will be located north west of Walney I and II offshore wind farms, 19km west of the Cumbrian coast, 35km north west of the Lancashire coast and 31km south east of the Isle of Man.
- The main construction activity is expected to be delivered during the four year period between 2016-2019.
- For the project to go ahead, developers will need to make a final investment decision.