Major offshore windfarm boost for Lowestoft and Yarmouth
- Credit: PA
The east coast has taken another big step forward in its ambition to become a major centre for renewable energy after plans for a further windfarm off Norfolk and Suffolk were submitted.
ScottishPower Renewables is already developing the £2bn East Anglia ONE windfarm, south of Lowestoft, which will see 102 turbines created.
But it has now submitted plans for another 172 turbines along the Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth coastline as part of East Anglia THREE, which would be able to power more than 850,000 homes.
Both windfarms are part of the East Anglia Array of windfarms, which in time would also include East Anglia FOUR, off the Norfolk coast. This is expected to be submitted in 2016.
Waveney MP Peter Aldous said the news – which comes ahead of a big conference today about the importance of offshore wind at Lowestoft's OrbisEnergy Centre – was a 'welcome decision which reinforces that the industry has a long-term future in this area'.
He said the fact the latest windfarm will be based off the Lowestoft coast – and that the town is hosting today's conference – shows: 'We're becoming recognised as a centre for the industry.'
James Reeder, chairman of the Lowestoft and Waveney Chambers of Commerce, added: 'We're very keen for Lowestoft to play its part and reap the benefits of the huge investment being made. We'll work with everyone to help make that happen.'
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Keith Anderson, chief executive of ScottishPower Renewables, said: 'The offshore wind industry in the UK now benefits from more powerful and more efficient turbines.
'We have better vessels, more experience of working offshore, a healthier supply chain, a growing engineering skills base, increased capability to export our products and expertise around the globe, as well as ever increasing investment in UK infrastructure.
'All of these factors mean that costs are reducing quickly, and large projects are achievable.'
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