E.ON has today (Wednesday 16 July 2014) received consent from the
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the Rt Hon Ed Davey MP, for
its Rampion Offshore Wind Farm development.
This decision means Rampion is set to become the first offshore
wind farm off the south coast of England. Consent has been given for a wind
farm of between 100 and 175 turbines to be installed around 13 to 20km off the
Sussex coast.
Commenting on the decision, Michael Lewis, Chief
Operating Officer, E.ON Renewables, said: “E.ON is delighted to receive
development consent for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm proposal. This is a key
milestone for the project and we firmly believe Rampion will play an important
role in helping to ensure future security of supply and make a significant
contribution towards meeting the UK’s renewable energy targets.”
Chris Tomlinson, Development Manager for Rampion Wind
Farm, added: “This is great news for E.ON and for Sussex. The wind farm will
not only help generate jobs during both construction and operation, but also
provide a boost to the port regeneration at Newhaven and the local economy.
“We’d like to take the opportunity to thank the Sussex
community for the high level of interest they’ve shown in this project,
including their responses to our consultations and to the Planning Inspectorate
during the examination which has all helped shape the project which we have
today.”
Huub den Rooijen, Head of Offshore Wind at The Crown
Estate, manager of the UK seabed, said: “Today’s announcement for the Rampion
wind farm is great news for the offshore wind industry and with nearly 12GW
consented, including over 5GW in operation or under construction, this further
reinforces why the UK remains one of the best places to invest in offshore wind
globally.”
E.ON will continue to keep the local community informed
on the project’s progress and will be working hard over the coming months and
years to make sure they are aware of the onshore and offshore activities
associated with building the wind farm.
A final timetable for construction has
not yet been agreed but is likely to begin within the next 12 months, with the
first sections of the onshore cabling expected to commence spring in 2015.
