Yorkshire offshore windfarm project gets go-ahead

An offshore wind project that is expected to bring up to 2,500 local jobs and millions of pounds’ worth of investment to the UK’s economy has today been given consent from the Government to go ahead.

Hornsea Project One will be made up of three offshore wind farms with a maximum capacity of 1200MW.

Once built, it will generate enough electricity to power more than 800,000 homes.

Based 64 miles off the coast of Yorkshire, the project was one of eight renewable energy projects awarded an early Contract for Difference (CFD) in April 2014.

Here is an artists' impression of what the massive offshore development will look like:

These investment contracts are a major part of the Government’s Electricity Market Reform programme - reforms which will see competition and markets attract tens of billions of pounds of vital energy investment whilst reducing the costs of clean energy to consumers.

Consent was provided on the condition that the project has an employment and skills plan approved by North Lincolnshire Council, which includes local advertising of jobs and supply chain opportunities and outreach employment presentations.

It has been shown that almost half of the costs associated with building and operating a wind farm is spent buying services and products from UK businesses.

This translates into real jobs, particularly in areas like Yorkshire which is becoming an energy hub.

Earlier this year Siemens and ABP announced a combined investment of £310 million to develop new wind turbine production and installation facilities in Hull, creating over 1,000 new jobs.