Norfolk firms are being urged to pitch for contracts to build a new offshore wind farm, which could create a wave of new jobs.

The proposed Triton Knoll wind farm has been earmarked for a site 28 miles off the coast of north Norfolk.

Operators claim it could create 500 UK jobs during construction and 325 UK jobs once complete.

But East Anglian businesses are likely to face stiff competition to secure the work from companies based in Lincolnshire, where the substation is likely to be built.

The announcement is the latest in a long line of renewable energy projects set for the east coast of England, which include the Greater Gabbbard wind farm – about 16 miles off the south coast of Lowestoft– and East Anglia One offshore wind farm, stretching from Lowestoft to Orford.

But construction has not begun on some of the projects because the government cannot agree a strike price for the electricity generated.

RWE npower renewables said it wants to construct the substation north-west of Bicker and west of Swineshead in Lincolnshire. And it is eyeing land south-west of Skegness near the Wainfleet Road Industrial Estate for the onshore intermediate electrical compound.

Jacob Hain, Triton Knoll project manager, said the project has been guided by research carried out in the communities throughout Lincolnshire.

He said: 'The preferred locations were selected by balancing environmental, technical, economic and engineering considerations alongside the key issues identified by local residents. Not only did local knowledge carry more weight in the evaluation, it has crucially influenced the design of the electrical system.

'For example, we have now committed to build an alternative construction road that avoids the village of Bicker.

'We will continue to work with the local community as we develop our project.

'We will be holding a further consultation on what the infrastructure will look like in due course. We also will be contacting landowners to discuss the development, and will look to work closely with Boston Borough Council, South Holland and East Lindsey District Council to develop our proposals.'