Feb 21 2007
Darling gives go-ahead for Thames Estuary green energy project
A wind farm with the power to supply clean electricity to over 415,000 homes, more than all the demand in Suffolk, will be confirmed by Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry today.
The Greater Gabbard (GG) scheme supplying 500MW through 140-turbines will cut CO2 emissions by 1.5m tonnes a year - the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road. The project is being developed by the companies Airtricity and Fluor.
It will be placed close to two shallow sandbanks - the Inner Gabbard and the Galloper - around 23km (12 miles) from the Suffolk coast. The sites will occupy an area of nearly 150 square kilometres within the outer Thames Estuary strategic wind farm area.
Mr Darling said: "We need more renewable energy as part of the mix of generation of electricity. It cuts emissions while powering homes.
"We are seeing this industry grow by the day. Only two weeks ago we reached the 2GW wind energy landmark, it took more than 10 years to get the first GW less than 20 months to get the second.
"It is a key part of our approach, we will continue to back it."
Climate Change Minister Ian Pearson said:
"We must start moving towards a zero carbon economy now, which involves a significant increase in the uptake of clean technologies, especially renewable energy. Projects like this that expand our capacity to generate clean electricity will play a major role in helping to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050. "
Commenting on the project, Eddie O'Connor, Airtricity CEO said:
"This is a great boon for the United Kingdom. When the wind blows, free generation replaces generation that costs. Wind reduces risk because the cost of the power offered will be fixed in price and offers price benefits for the consumer. Such large-scale offshore wind provides consistent power and will push down the prices for fossil fuels. This price decrease is caused by the diminishment in demand for fossil fuels, something we've seen frequently in Northern Europe. Greater Gabbard will save money as well as contributing to the amount of electricity generated from emissions free sources."
Fluor's Managing Director, Patrick Flaherty said:
"We are pleased to have achieved this important milestone and we look forward to working with all involved stakeholders to progress the project to financial close during 2007 so that we can begin the construction works in time to support the government's 2010 renewables target Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Limited will play a vital part in supplying green electricity as part of the wider programme to produce 6-7000MW of electricity to the UK."