While Norway is busy erecting Europe’s largest onshore wind farm, the British government has recently announced plans for what will be the biggest offshore wind farm in the entire world. Dubbed as the Hornsea Project Two, the initiative will involve the construction of as many as 300 wind turbines along the coast of England. Once operational, the facility produce enough power for up to 1.6 million households.

Currently being developers by Denmark-based DONG Energy, the facility is the second phase of the 1.2 gigawatts Hornsea Project One. Capable of generating nearly 1.6 gigawatts of electricity, the newly-conceived wind farm will be built around 55 miles (approx. 90 kilometers) off the coast of Yorkshire. Speaking about the initiative, Greg Clark, the British Business Minister, said:

Britain is a global leader in offshore wind, and we’re determined to be one of the leading destinations for investment in renewable energy. The UK’s offshore wind industry has grown at an extraordinary rate over the last few years, and is a fundamental part of our plans to build a clean, affordable, secure energy system.

According to Clark, the project will cost a total of £6 billion (about $7.8 billion or €6.9 billion). At its full capacity, the facility will open up more than 1,960 construction jobs as well as 580 jobs to look after the farm’s operation and maintenance. The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to install up to 10 gigawatts of offshore wind farm across the country by the end of this decade. Brent Cheshire, the head of the UK branch of DONG Energy, added:

Hornsea Project Two provides us with another exciting development opportunity in offshore wind.

Via: The Guardian