Mainstream Renewable Power, one of Ireland’s largest renewable energy firms, has received permission to construct the world’s largest off-shore wind farm ever, with capacity of more than 1GW.
Expected to start operations in 2020, the farm will be located 120km off the Yorkshire coast and will cover approximately 407 sq km powering an estimated 800,000 homes back on dry land.
This decision makes it the second large-scale offshore wind farm consented to Mainstream Renewable in the past few months having last October being awarded consent to build and operate the stg£1.5bn Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm off the coast of Scotland.
Designated Hornsea Project One, will see Mainstream form a new body called SMartWind, a consortium of Mainstream Renewable and Siemens Financial Services as well as DONG Energy who have split the project three-ways.
The North Sea is considered an attractive place to put off-shore wind turbines because of its strong winds and high sea-shelf.
Speaking of getting the go-ahead from the UK Secretary of State, Ed Davy, Andy Kinsella, Mainstream Renewable COO, said, “Hornsea Project One is part of the essential new infrastructure that has driven major investment in the Humber economy and ensures a low carbon future for the area. Today’s announcement is testament to the world-class expertise of the Mainstream team who have been developing this project for the past six years.”
Offshore wind farm image via Shutterstock
