UK GOV APPROVES 3 NEW WIND BUILDS

The UK announced approval of three new wind farms, two inland and one offshore. Three separate companies will do the work. 215 megawatts. What is noteworthy is how NOT noteworthy it all is. Just another day's work building the infrastructure of the 21st century.

Powering on: Three new wind farms granted consent by Energy Minister
28 February 2008 (UK Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform via Govenrment News Network)

WHO
Malcolm Wicks, UK Energy Minister; Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES); E.ON UK Renewables Limited (E.ON); DONG Energy Limited

Offshore in the Thames Estuary. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Wicks, on behalf of Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government, approved three new wind farm installations for the UK.

WHEN
The UK is aiming to generate 15% of its power from New Energy by 2015, under its obligation to the EU’s goal of achieving 20% power from New Energy by 2020,

In Yorkshire. (click to enlarge)

WHERE
- 85 Megawatt onshore wind farm planned at Keadby, North Lincolnshire.
- 66 Megawatt onshore wind farm planned at Thorne, South Yorkshire.
- 64 Megawatt offshore wind farm (Gunfleet Sands II) planned for the Thames Estuary 5 miles from the Essex coast at Frinton-on-Sea.

WHY
- Keadby will be built by RES and will have 34 turbines.
- Thorne will be built by E.ON and will have 22 turbines.
- Gunfleet Sands II will be built by DONG and have 22 turbines.

Artist's rendering of the installation at Keadby. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Wicks: "These three new wind farms will add a further 215 Megawatts of green energy to the renewables revolution that is sweeping through the UK…Real momentum for renewables in the UK is building. Through our Renewables Obligation we have more than doubled the amount of renewable electricity, and this will triple again to 15% by 2015 through changes in the Energy Bill. We are on course to overtake Denmark next year as the world leader in offshore wind and we are reviewing our strategy to take us even further."