Green light for Yorkshire offshore wind farm creating 500 jobs
THE Hornsea Project Two, which will create more than 500 jobs, has been given the green light by Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark.
Hornsea Project Two is being developed by SMartWind, owned by DONG Energy and it is said to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
The Development Consent Order (DCO) was approved by Greg Clark MP at the recommendation of the Planning Inspectorate.
It covers the entire project including the turbines, foundations, offshore and onshore substations, array cables and export cables.
Upon completion, the Humber windfarm will deliver 1,800 megawatts of low carbon electricity to around 1.8 million UK homes.
It will create an initial 1,960 construction jobs and 580 operational and maintenance jobs.
Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: “The UK’s offshore wind industry has grown at an extraordinary rate over the last few years, and is a fundamental part of our plans to build a clean, affordable, secure energy system.
“Britain is a global leader in offshore wind, and we’re determined to be one of the leading destinations for investment in renewable energy, which means jobs and economic growth right across the country.”
Located approximately 89km off the Yorkshire coast, the windfarm will comprise up to 300 wind turbines and will connect to the grid at North Killingholme in North Lincolnshire.
Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy’s UK country chairman, said: “Development consent for Hornsea Project Two is very welcome. We have already invested £6 billion in the UK, and Hornsea Project Two provides us with another exciting development opportunity in offshore wind.
“Hornsea Project Two is a huge potential infrastructure project which could provide enough green energy to power 1.6 million UK homes. A project of this size will help in our efforts to continue reducing the cost of electricity from offshore wind and shows our commitment to investing in the UK.”Humber LEP chairman Lord Haskins said: “This is a massive construction project which will create a substantial number of jobs – both in construction and in operations and maintenance for the long term. With the world’s largest wind farm now approved on our doorstep, it is a further demonstration that the Humber, the UK’s energy estuary, is at the centre of this growing industry which has major potential.
“We were pleased to support the project through the planning process. The news of the development consent is welcome and we look forward to seeing it progress.”
Earlier this month, Dong pulled out of a £450m Humber Estuary scheme scheme with Able UK.
