Britain cleared the way for a major investment in offshore wind power as the Crown Estate, landowner of the UK territorial seabed, announced it has issued seabed leases to 18 companies at 13 sites around the country.
If all sites go ahead, the power generated would be between 1000 and 1500 MW.
“Our role at the Crown Estate has been a small but significant part of getting this important new industry on its feet,’ said Frank Parrish, head of marine estates. ‘We have worked closely with DTI and the members of the British Wind Energy Association to get to this stage. The successful applicants can now begin wide consultation on their proposals and undertake the necessary technical and environmental studies.’ Among the companies selected for the project are Powergen Renewable Offshore Wind, and Amec Offshore Wind Power.
Powergen has proposed a £70 million wind farm comprising 38 turbines each of 2MW output on the Middle Scroby Sands, around 3km off the coast. The site developers are PowerGen Renewables Offshore Wind and Vestas, the Danish wind turbine manufacturer.
Amec has been selected to develop a wind farm in the North sea, off the Lincolnshire coast near Skegness. The development will involve 30 turbines, between five and 10km offshore. The facility will generate a considerable surplus – more than seven times that of the requirement for the Skegness area. Investment in the project is likely to be around £90 million with an earliest construction start date of 2004.
All companies involved in the project are still required to obtain planning permission from the government and other planning bodies. They must gain all consents within three years or lose their lease.