UK PM opens 630MW London Array offshore project

The UK Prime Minister David Cameroon has commenced operations of 630MW London Array offshore wind power plant in the Thames estuary.

Located 20km off the Kent and Essex coast, the project features 175 3.6MW wind turbines supplied by Siemens under a long-term supply and service agreement.

The London Array project, touted as the largest offshore project in the world, is owned, developed and built by a consortium comprising Dong Energy, E.ON and Masdar.

The project is estimated to produce enough power to cater to requirements of 500,000 British households, representing two-thirds of the homes in Kent, which will also reduce annual carbon emissions by about 900,000 tonnes.

Prime Minister David Cameron said that the launch of the London Array project marks a significant milestone for Britain and renewable energy sector, proving Britain’s potential to build large-scale projects.

"This is because when it comes to clean energy, the UK has one of the clearest investment climates globally," added Cameroon.

Siemens president and CEO Peter Löscher "London Array is the world’s largest offshore wind power plant and marks a milestone in the development of offshore wind power."

RenewableUK welcomed the Prime Minister’s support to the London Array project stating that renewable energy sector would be a key to Britain’s economy.

RenewableUK chief executive Maria McCaffery said: "We’re about to witness a massive expansion in the number of people we employ in the wind industry onshore and offshore, from about 12,000 now to 76,000 by the dawn of the next decade, as long as Government remains supportive – today Mr Cameron has assured us that it will."

The industry group further claimed that a series of renewable projects are being developed in the UK including Teesside, Gwynt y Mor off the coast of North Wales and West Of Duddon Sands off the north west coast of England.