London Array consortium welcomes Government move to increase support for offshore wind
The companies behind London Array, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, have welcomed the UK Government’s proposal to increase its incentives to build offshore wind farms.
DONG Energy, E.ON and Masdar, which make up the joint venture, were reacting to the Government’s energy proposals. The Government proposes to increase the number of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) available for offshore wind generation. Recognising the contribution offshore wind will make to reducing the UK’s carbon emissions, the Government proposal was to issue two ROCs for every megawatt hour of offshore power produced, doubling the original incentive.
The partners will now await the findings of the Government’s review and consultation process but believe the proposed increased incentive will help boost the economics of the London Array scheme and so its commercial viability. The partners will now conclude their review processes before making an announcement on the final investment decision for the first phase in the near future.
Anders Eldrup, Chief Executive of DONG Energy A/S, said: 'We welcome the two ROC announcement which will support the development of offshore wind in the UK. Realising the London Array project is an important step to continue DONG Energy’s offshore development, and to the implementation of our strategy of significantly expanding our position within sustainable energy.”
Dr Wulf Bernotat, Chief Executive of E.ON AG, said: “We very much welcome the move by the UK Government to increase its support for offshore wind. The enhanced incentives will help transform the industry and improve the economics for the pioneering London Array project. The Government’s decision recognises the difficulties that energy companies face when they look to build offshore wind. We feel optimistic about the future of the offshore wind industry in the UK and the London Array scheme.”
'We applaud the responsiveness of the UK government to the needs of a growing and incredibly vital industry,' said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO Masdar.
London Array would eventually be the world’s first 1GW offshore wind farm, and would be built around 20km off the coasts of Kent and Essex. Once built, it will supply enough power for approximately 750,000 homes - or a third of Greater London homes.
The wind farm will be installed on a 90 square mile site and will be built in two phases. The consortium hopes the first phase of 630MW will be completed in 2012 and generating during the London Olympic Games. The first phase will consist of 175 turbines. The second phase will add enough capacity to bring the total to 1,000MW.
Customer comments
No comments were found for London Array consortium welcomes Government move to increase support for offshore wind. Be the first to comment!