Wind Power
The region offers:
- Proximity to key strategic areas for offshore wind energy
- Leading established wind energy projects
- An experienced workforce with transferable skills
- A strong, established energy industry network
- First class R&D and academic excellence
- Innovation centres to nurture developing companies
- Direct dockside access and proximity to ports and airports
The East of England is ideally situated and perfectly equipped to make the most of the rapidly developing offshore wind industry.
Windfarms offshore
To date there are 24 proposed offshore windfarms off the coast of the East of England:
- 6 are currently generating power
- 2 are under construction
- 2 have had authorised consent
- 5 are awaiting consent
- 8 are in early planning stages (1 has been cancelled)
If all are granted consent they will generate a combined 13,000MW of power.
Among the current projects are Scroby Sands which has 30 turbines, generating 60MW; Gunfleet Sands which has 48 turbines (172.8MW); and Greater Gabbard, 140 turbines (504MW).
Windfarms onshore
There have been 52 proposed onshore windfarms in the East of England.
Of these:
- 15 are generating electricity <123.3MW>
- 18 have had consent granted
- 19 have been submitted and await consent
Supply Chain
The East of England has worked with the offshore oil and gas industry for more than 40 years and the skills are transferable to wind power. Much of the infrastructure necessary for the manufacture, installation and operation of onshore and offshore wind turbines already exists or could be readily sited in the region. Also in the region is OrbisEnergy; the hub for offshore renewable companies at Ness Point, Lowestoft, Britain’s most easterly point,
