Giant Galloper wind farm clears planning hurdle

29/05/2013

Greater Gabbard set to double in size as government green lights 504MW extension project

One of the world's largest wind farms, located in the Thames Estuary, is set to double in size after the government gave the green light for a 504MW extension.

SSE and RWE npower renewables were today awarded planning permission to jointly build the Galloper offshore wind farm, which would back onto the existing 500MW Greater Gabbard project, off the coast of Suffolk.

In a statement SSE said it expected to make a final investment decision on the project in the first half of 2014, while the government separately said it expected the 140 turbine wind farm would be completed in 2017.

Announcing the consent, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) predicted the construction would generate up to £20m of investment in Suffolk, while creating around 600 jobs.

"Galloper wind farm will provide large amounts of clean energy, support jobs and generate major investment in Suffolk," a DECC spokesman said in a statement.

"Offshore wind has an important role to play as part of a balanced energy mix. This development will enhance our energy security and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Galloper wind farm project director Bart Oberink agreed the plans would give a valuable boost to the UK economy, predicting it would create 850 jobs in construction.

He added that the scheme was unlikely to have an adverse impact on the environment.

"Galloper Wind Farm has the potential to attract over £1bn of investment into new UK energy infrastructure from private investors," he said.

"It is great for the country's investment opportunities and could support the creation of hundreds of jobs."

Green groups and trade associations used the news to encourage the timely conclusion of the governments electricity market reforms.

"Wind farms like this are a huge boost to the local and national economy and will help wean the UK off increasingly costly fossil fuels," said Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Guy Shrubsole.

"But the government must do much more to encourage investors to harvest the huge potential of the wind, waves and sun - which is why we need a clean power target in the forthcoming Energy Bill."

Nick Medic, RenewableUK director of offshore renewables, added that the Galloper wind farm highlighted the need for the government to focus on the economic benefits of offshore wind in its forthcoming industrial strategy.

"The offshore wind sector will be employing more than 47,000 people by 2021," he said.

"This announcement is timely as major international companies are currently deciding where to build the factories that will supply Galloper and the other massive offshore wind projects in the pipeline.

"That's why it's so important to get the policy framework right in the Energy Bill, so that the offshore wind supply chain can thrive in the UK."

By Le My

Giant Galloper wind farm clears planning hurdle

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