Worlds Largest Wave Farm Approved for UK

The world's largest wave farm to be built off the British coast is set to receive planning approval from ministers today.

Developed by the South West of England Regional Development Agency, the £28m Wave Hub is a renewable energy project that aims to create the UK's first offshore facility to harness wave energy.

Wave Hub has been designed to provide a high voltage cable ten miles out to sea, connected to the National Grid where companies will be able to test their wave energy devices in a leased and consented area of sea.

Wave Hub could generate enough electricity for 7,500 homes, saving 24,300t of carbon dioxide every year when displacing fossil fuels.

It is believed the project could generate £76m over 25 years for the regional economy, creating at least 170 jobs and possibly hundreds more.

In April this year, Wave Hub was granted £21.5m of funding by the UK Government.

Today's announcement will be made by secretary of the newly formed Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform committee, John Hutton.

By Ozge Ibrahim