Wind farm approval raises hopes of jobs boost for energy hub

The company will build 35 turbines at the Westermost Rough site – the electricity from which could power a reasonably-sized town.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “This offshore wind farm will feature cutting-edge turbine technology and will bring further jobs and investment to the East coast, whilst also generating enough clean energy to power 200,000 homes.

“This confirms the UK’s position as being one of the best places in the world to invest in offshore wind.”

Construction of the wind farm, in an area of the North Sea aboutfive miles off the coast, is due to start early next year.

The turbines should then be turning by the first half of 2015.

DONG Energy chief executive Henrik Poulsen said: “With the decision to build Westermost Rough, we expand our position as world leading in the development, construction and maintaining of offshore wind farms.”

The announcement is a major step forward for efforts to turn the Humber into a hub for offshore wind turbine assembly, installation and maintenance.

Denmark-headquarted DONG is planning to use a new design of wind turbines built by engineering giant Siemens.

The German conglomerate already has plans to open a new assembly plant in Hull. However, it is believed unlikely that this will be ready in time for this work.

The last Government originally awarded the rights to develop the Westermost Rough site to energy giant Total in 2003 but the company handed the lease back.

DONG Energy secured the lease in 2007 and just over a year ago was granted planning permission for the project.

E.ON is already developing a 75-turbine wind farm at a site south of Westermost Rough known as Humber Gateway and is due to be generating power by 2015.