DECEMBER 2006

The consortium planning to build the world’s largest wind farm off the Kent coast, today welcomed the Government’s decision to grant consent for its offshore planning applications.

The consent gives the go ahead for the offshore sections of the 1,000MW wind farm which, if built, will displace nearly 2 million tonnes of CO2 a year. The wind farm would also generate enough electricity to power 750,000 homes, equivalent to a quarter of Greater London’s households or every home in Kent and East Sussex.

The consent for the onshore substation, necessary to connect London Array into the national grid, remains outstanding and will now be subject to a Public Inquiry.

Andrew Murfin, a Director of London Array Limited, said:

“This is a significant step forward in the development of the London Array offshore wind farm. The UK Government has a target of 10% of energy generation from renewables by 2010 and an aspiration to double that by 2020; to help reach these targets it is imperative that large scale wind farms such as London Array get the go-ahead and are built in the not too distant future.

“The UK faces two major long-term challenges - tackling CO2 emissions and delivering secure supplies of cleaner energy. Harnessing our indigenous renewable energy sources will make a significant contribution towards meeting both challenges.

“Finally, I welcome the Government’s commitments made during the recent Energy Review to increase financial support for the offshore wind industry and reform the planning system for major energy infrastructure projects.”

Welcoming today’s announcement, the BWEA’s Chief Executive, Maria McCaffery said:

“The BWEA is delighted by the first consent for the second phase of the UK’s world-leading offshore programme. The significance of London Array is far greater than the project itself, although this will bring many notable benefits to the UK in terms of clean, carbon free generation.

“Far more important is the clear signal from the UK to the rest of the world that this country is open for business for offshore wind and we look forward to more consents in the near future.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors:
1. The London Array consortium is made up of E.ON UK, Shell WindEnergy Ltd and CORE Ltd, a joint venture between Farm Energy, the originator of the project and DONG Energy.

2. The Government recently published its energy review, which recognised the need for additional support to boost offshore wind energy generation. It also recognized the need for fundamental reform of the planning system for major energy infrastructure projects. For more on the energy review:
www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review.

3. A computer animation of the project is available to broadcast media on +44 (0) 24 7618 3676.