SSE and RWE npower renewables have received approval from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to jointly construct the 504MW Galloper offshore wind farm off the coast of Suffolk, UK.
The wind farm will be developed on a site located 27km off the Suffolk coast, near the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm.
The new wind farm will feature 140 Siemens 3.6MW wind turbines arranged within three areas and installed in water depths of between 24m and 34m.
The project is expected to provide enough electricity to meet the needs of about 500,000 homes once completed in 2017.
With the development consent, SSE and RWE will also be able to build related infrastructure at Sizewell, which will connect the wind farm to the electricity grid system.
SSE managing director of renewables Jim Smith said the wind farm will generate significant amounts of renewable energy and bring investment and jobs into the UK.
"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," Smith added.
"It has already consistently achieved load factors in excess of 45% and availability of around 90%."
A DECC spokesperson said Galloper wind farm will provide large amounts of clean energy, support jobs and generate major investment in Suffolk.
"Offshore wind has an important role to play as part of a balanced energy mix. This development will enhance our energy security and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," the spokesperson added.
Image: Galloper offshore wind farm will feature 140 Siemens 3.6MW wind turbines. Photo: Courtesy of SSE.
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