E.ON today received consent from the secretary of state for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey MP, for its Rampion offshore wind farm project.
The development, which would be based between 13 and 20 km from the coast of Sussex, would be the first based off the south coast of England.
Consent has been given for a wind farm of between 100 and 175 turbines to be installed.
Commenting on the decision, Chris Tomlinson, development manager for Rampion Wind Farm, said: “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,” he added.
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
“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,” he added.
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.
