Green light for Walney offshore wind extension

Plans to increase the size of an offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea have been given the green light by the government. The Walney project, off the coast of […]

Plans to increase the size of an offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea have been given the green light by the government.

The Walney project, off the coast of Cumbria, currently has 102 turbines and a capacity of 367.2MW. DONG Energy wants to add up to an additional 104 turbines, taking the total generating capacity to 750MW.

Once built, the wind farm would generate enough electricity to power more than half a million homes.

It is also expected to create 230 new jobs during the four-year construction period and more than 180 jobs every year during the 25-year lifespan.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “Another large wind farm is now closer to being built – and each one gives us more home-grown, clean and secure energy supplies.

“Driving investment in energy has made us the top country in the world for investing in offshore wind.”

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