Norfolk gets 4th largest wind farm

Plans for the UK’s fourth largest wind farm off the coast of Norfolk have received the go-ahead from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Sheringham Shoal, a 35-square kilometre area which is to have 88 turbines and generate enough energy for about 178,000 homes, received planning permission.

Energy secretary John Hutton said the move proved the government was committed to renewable energy.

He said: "This new wind farm demonstrates our commitment to dramatically increase the amount of energy we generate from renewable sources, helping to cut the UK’s carbon emissions and secure our energy supplies.

"Sheringham Shoal will be the UK’s fourth largest wind farm approved to date and will help provide a significant contribution towards our energy targets."

Scira Offshore Energy, a joint venture between StatoilHydro and Evelop Projects, now awaits its final investment decision.

The Sheringham Shoal is the first of the Crown Estate Round Two wind farms to be approved in the Greater Wash Strategic Area.

MTHojgaard has been awarded contracts to install 90 monopile foundations, two of which will be for substations.