NOVEMBER 2007

The consortium developing London Array, one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms in the Thames estuary, has welcomed today’s announcement from the UK Government that electricity transmission works associated with the project can go ahead.

The 1,000MW London Array would consist of up to 341 wind turbines and be able to generate enough electricity to cater for the power needs of a quarter of London homes or every home in Kent and East Sussex. It would also avoid the emission of millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide over its life.

The project would be built in phases and when complete would generate electricity equivalent to almost 10% of the Government’s target for 10% of the UK’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2010.

London Array received planning permission for the offshore works in December 2006 and the Government, in August this year, supported the Planning Inspector’s recommendation for permission to be given for the construction of an onshore substation.
 
Andrew Murfin, Project Director of London Array Limited, said: “This is great news and is another significant step towards the development of this flagship project for the UK.

“As the Government looks to tackle the twin issues of security of supply and climate change, it is clear that renewable projects of the scale of London Array will become more and more important to the UK. Now that these important consents are in place, we are focused on the tendering necessary for the first phase of this project, the results of which will determine whether the project economics and schedule are acceptable. Timely enactment by the Government of their proposed changes to the Renewables Obligation legislation to promote offshore wind power is another key factor necessary for the success of this project.”