The UK Department of Energy & Climate Change has given its approval to the proposed extension of the Kentish Flats offshore wind farm.

One of the first offshore wind farms to be built in the country, the Kentish Flats facility is located in north of Herne Bay and Whitstable in Kent.

Energy and Climate Change secretary Edward Davey said that the offshore wind farm will not only generate clean energy but will also create jobs and generate major investment in the country.

"Vattenfall’s decision to extend an existing project reflects the ongoing attractiveness of the UK as a place to do business in renewable energy," added Davey.

Sweden-based Vattenfall is the project owner and plans to employ an additional 17 new turbines at the facility.

The new turbines will add 51MW capacity to the farm, taking its total installed capacity to 141MW, when fully expanded.

The wind farm has been operational since 2005 and generates enough energy to power about 61,000 homes on average; the extension will enable the facility to cater to 96,000 homes in the region.