In its statement, DECC said that it has granted permission for the construction of a 504MW wind farm off the coast of Suffolk and related infrastructure at Sizewell which will connect the wind farm to the electricity grid system.
The department estimates that the project could generate around £18m to £20m of investment in Suffolk, besides creating about 600 jobs across the country.
Galloper offshore wind farm features 140 turbines and it will provide enough electricity to power nearly 500,000 homes per year. It is expected to be completed in 2017.
Welcoming the move from the department, SSE Renewables managing director Jim Smith remarked that the approval is an assurance of DECC’s commitment towards offshore wind.
"Greater Gabbard wind farm, which is effectively the sister project to Galloper, is already proving to be a significant operating asset which we are now confident will have a significant asset life. It has already consistently achieved load factors in excess of 45% and availability of around 90%," added Smith.
