Jobs promised as Hornsea wind farm gets green light

Ministers have approved plans for Hornsea Project One which will be able to power around 800,000 homes.

Depending on the size chosen, between 150 and 332 turbines will be built 64 miles off the coast.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “With around 2,500 local green jobs on the horizon, this is another great boost for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

“Making the most of Britain’s home grown energy is crucial to creating job and business opportunities in the UK, getting the best deal for consumers and reducing our reliance on foreign imports.

“Wind power is vital to this plan, with £14.5 billion invested since 2010 into an industry which supports 35,400 jobs.”

The scheme is the latest boost for the ambition to turn the area into a hub for the green energy industry.

Earlier this year, engineering giant Siemens confirmed plans to build a wind turbine assembly plant at Hull’s Alexandra dock with a blade manufacturing plant at Paull.

Siemens is a partner in Hornsea Project One along with Mainstream Renewable Power and DONG Energy.

Benj Sykes, DONG Energy’s vice president of UK wind power, said: “Development consent for Hornsea Project One is very welcome. This is an exciting project that will be a world first in terms of its size and location, and it has the potential to power up to 800,000 UK homes.

“Development consent has recently been granted for our Burbo Bank Extension and Walney Extension wind farms as well, underlining that DONG Energy has real commitment to investing in the UK with a strong pipeline of future projects.”

Friends of the Earth campaigner Simon Bowens said: “This is fantastic news for the blossoming offshore wind industry on the North Sea coast.

“Offshore wind is providing clean, reliable energy, while creating jobs and boosting energy security far more effectively than fracking.

“The UK could be an offshore wind powerhouse, but the Government must show much greater ambition if we are to reap the full benefits and continue to drive down costs in the years ahead.”