UK govt okays Dong's 1.8-GW Hornsea 2 offshore wind project

UK business and energy secretary Greg Clark today granted development consent to Dong Energy A/S' (CPH:DENERG) up-to-1.8-GW Hornsea Two offshore wind project.

The project, which will be the world's largest wind farm, will see up to 300 turbines erected 89 km (55 miles) off the Yorkshire coast.

The Development Consent Order covers the entire project, including the turbines, foundations, offshore and onshore substations, array cables and export cables, the Danish utility said in a statement. It was approved by the energy secretary at the recommendation of the Planning Inspectorate.

If built to the full capacity, the project would represent a total investment of around GBP 6 billion (USD 7.9bn/EUR 7.2bn), the newly created Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said. It is expected to create up to 1,960 construction jobs, as well as 580 operational and maintenance jobs.

"Britain is a global leader in offshore wind, and we’re determined to be one of the leading destinations for investment in renewable energy, which means jobs and economic growth right across the country," Clark said.

Dong plans a total of four projects in its Hornsea offshore wind zone. It made a final investment decision on the 1.2-GW Hornsea One wind farm early this year.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.313/EUR 1.194)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!