World's largest wind farm plan

Last Updated: Thursday, 17 May 2007, 18:50 GMT

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The world's largest offshore wind farm could be built off the the UK coast.

The £3 billion project is proposed for the coast off north Devon - a collection of 350 turbines known as the Atlantic Array.

Farm Energy2, the Devon-based company behind the scheme, hopes that the site north west of Ilfracombe, could generate enough green electricity to power more than a million homes.

The proposal, which would generate 1,500 megawatts of renewable power, could also create hundreds of long term, jobs, with even more in the wider community.

Farm Energy originated the London Array project in the Thames Estuary, currently the world's largest offshore wind scheme, which received offshore consents from the DTI and Defra in December 2006.

Farm Energy Director Peter Crone said: "Atlantic Array would be a landmark project that would see the South West taking a significant step towards a more environmentally sustainable future.

"Every year, the wind farm would avoid the release of 2.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide - the main gas contributing to global warming - equivalent to over 5% of the South West's greenhouse gas emissions."

Matthew Spencer, chief executive of Regen SW, the renewable energy agency for South West England, said: "Atlantic Array is a game-changing proposal which will have a major influence on the Government's thinking on the best areas for offshore wind, currently assumed to be shallow water off the East of England coast and in the Irish Sea.

"This proposal allows the South West to start playing in the big league of the European renewable energy industry, and is sure to stimulate new interest in the region from other companies."

Devon county council regional affairs spokesman Humphrey Temperley said: "The proposal represents the best opportunity for the local economy in northern Devon in a decade. Ilfracombe, Bideford and Appledore could all share the onshore benefits. "The wind farm could provide enough energy for all of Devon and there is potential for tidal power to be added later."