The world's largest offshore wind farm is to be built 75 miles off the coast of Yorkshire, after Dong Energy made a final investment decision on Hornsea Project One.

The Danish company says the 1.2GW development will provide enough electricity to power more than a million UK homes. It is expected to be fully operational in 2020 and will have a capacity nearly double that of its nearest rival, the Walney extension.

Henrik Poulsen, chief executive of Dong Energy, said: “We are excited about building this huge wind farm and pushing the boundaries of the offshore wind industry.

"Hornsea together with Race Bank, Westermost Rough and Lincs will make up a giant production area off the British east coast, supporting our efforts to deliver green and independent energy to society.”

The wind farm will be made up of around 170 Siemens-manufactured 7MW turbines. A new blade factory in Hull, due to be built by the end of this year, will support the development.

Energy Secretary Amber Rudd said: “This project means secure, clean energy for the country, jobs and financial security for working people and their families, and more skills and growth boosting the Northern Powerhouse.”

In April 2014, the project was awarded a contract for difference by the government, giving it a guaranteed energy price for the first 15 years of production.

In February 2015, Dong took full control of Hornsea Project One after buying a 66 per cent stake in the development from the consortium Smart Wind. The firm also owns the rights to Hornsea Project Two and Three, which could potentially host another 3GW of offshore wind capacity.

Edie.net