Vattenfall’s application to build the Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind farm has been granted development consent.
The 1.8GW project is expected to start operating in the mid 2020s, with 90 to 180 turbines (depending on their capacity) in a 592.069km2site 47km offshore of Norfolk.
Gunnar Groebler, senior vice president for Vattenfall’s wind business, said: “We’re delighted to receive planning consent for Norfolk Vanguard. This decision justifies the confidence that we have in the offshore wind sector in Britain, and we’re looking forward to developing the project and benefiting the local community.
“Vattenfall’s purpose is to power climate smarter living. Decarbonising our economies starts with one of the most essential resources – electricity. Today’s news sends a strong signal that the UK is serious about its climate ambitions and is open for business to power a green economic recovery.”
Danielle Lane, country manager and head of offshore wind for Vattenfall in the UK, said: “Today is also great news for people living locally, who we’ve been working with over the last four years to develop this project. They can look forward to a multi-billion pound economic boost, bringing with it hundreds of new long-term jobs, driving forward a green revolution and helping to level up UK opportunities.
“It’s now vital that other shovel-ready renewable and low-carbon projects are also given the go-ahead as soon as possible. Delays of even just a month or so can set back big infrastructure developments by years in some cases. The UK has to go much further, much faster, if it’s going to reach its net-zero targets.”