The world’s largest wind farm will be built off the south-east coast, it was confirmed this week. The London Array, which has been in discussion for some time, will eventually see 341 turbines sites in the Thames Estuary. It will cost £1.96 billion and supply 1,000 megawatts when completed, enough to supply electricity to 750,000 homes.
The news is a welcome glimmer of hope in a renewable energy industry that has stalled in the UK in recent months. Large financial backers have got cold feet, projects have been mired in planning permission battles, and the UK’s only turbine manufacturer closed its doors this month on the Isle of Wight.
The London Array will help the UK towards its CO2 emissions targets of an 80% reduction by 2050, saving 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 a year.
The green light came after the government added new support for renewable energy in the recent budget, allowing partners EON and Masdar to meet the required finance.
The Earthbound Report 