UK government approves £4bn wind energy projects

The federal government of UK has given its nod for the development of two large-scale wind energy projects, whose total investment is valued at £4bn.

The two wind farms, approved by Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), comprise 228MW Pen y Cymoedd in South Wales and 1,200MW Triton Knoll Offshore wind farm, off the Lincolnshire and Norfolk coast.

Secretary of State for Energy Edward Davey stated that the two wind projects prove UK’s capability to attract inward investment.

"These two projects will attract billions in investment into the UK, support hundreds of skilled green jobs in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and in the county boroughs of Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf whilst providing homes with clean energy," added Davey.

"Only last week the Prime Minister opened the London Array, the largest operating wind farm in the world, and today we gave planning permission to build a bigger offshore wind farm and also welcome the go-ahead of the biggest onshore wind farm in England and Wales."

RWE Npower Renewables is developing Triton Knoll wind farm with an investment of £3.6bn and the project will feature 288 turbines.

Vattenfall, a Swedish power company, is set to invest £400m to build 76-turbine Pen y Cymoedd wind farm, whose construction is due to commence in 2014 and is expected to generate power by 2016.

In addition, Vattenfall will also invest £1.8m every year towards community funds for the 25 year life of the wind farm.

"We have provided certainty early to onshore and offshore wind investors and now see significant investment decisions being made that will benefit the UK’s economy for years to come," concluded Davey.