£150m Kent Wind Farm Approved
A leading Swedish energy company has given the green light to a 15 turbine offshore wind farm off the Kent coast.
Vattenfall’s 49.5 megawatt (MW) Kentish Flats Extension (KFE), consented by the UK Government’s Energy Secretary earlier this year, has gained a final investment decision from the Vattenfall Board of Directors to deliver the sustainable energy scheme.
When operational in 2015, KFE will generate annually the equivalent power used by 42,000 UK households, in addition to the existing 30 turbine Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm.
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey said:
“I am delighted that Vattenfall are going to proceed with the Kentish Flats Extension project. This is testament to the power of inward investment in theUK.”
“Offshore wind is a major success story for the UK which brings economic benefit to our shores, supports thousands of skilled jobs and is an important contributor to our energy mix.”
“The UK is well placed to maintain its position as the world’s biggest offshore wind market out to 2020.”
Matthew Green, Vattenfall Project Manager, said:
“Vattenfall’s decision to invest around £150mn in Kentish Flats Extension is the final hurdle that needs to be cleared before construction can start in 2015. It’s good to get that and I’m looking forward to leading the construction team over the next two and a half years. We will now complete a period of intense detailed engineering and planning for the construction phase in 2015.”
