Government approves Scottishpower’s offshore wind farming plan
Posted on: September 7th, 2008 by Tessa Clarke
Energy giant ScottishPower has welcomed the government’s approval for its first ever offshore wind farm, calling it another milestone in company’s progress. It reveals ScottishPower’s intentions of expanding into offshore renewable energy production.
The government gave its go-ahead signal on September 4, to a consortium lead by ScottishPower which includes Eurus Energy and DONG Energy, to commence its project plan. The 500MW wind farm will be located west of Duddon Sands.
UK has set a target of meeting 15% of its energy requirement through renewable energy by 2020. ScottishPower said that its offshore venture will help the country in achieving that target. Rapid development of such renewable energy projects is essential to reduce country’s dependence on oil and gas.
The Duddon Sands project envisages installation of 139 offshore wind powered turbines which will generate enough power to the meet the electricity requirements of 372,000 homes. The new project will be located 14km away from coast of Cumbria in the Irish Sea. It will connect to the grid through a new substation to be located at Heysham. The project also includes two offshore substations to link up individual turbines.
According to ScottishPower, it is already the biggest developer and generator of wind power energy in the country. They are generating 600MW from wind farms and their projects which are underway will add another 1800MW by 2012. However, the Duddon Sands project will be its first venture into offshore wind farming.
The project partners of ScottishPower also expressed their delight. DONG Energy is already having two wind farms in the Irish Sea.
Please visit www.scottishpower.co.uk for more
