The project, which includes development of three offshore wind farms with a maximum capacity of 1,200MW, is being developed by SMart Wind, which is a 50:50 joint venture formed between Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures, and DONG Energy.
Located 120km off the Yorkshire coast, the Project One covers approximately 407km2 and is expected to meet the electricity needs of around 800,000 residents.
Mainstream Renewable Power chief operating officer Andy Kinsella said: "Hornsea Project One is part of the essential new infrastructure that has driven major investment in the Humber economy and ensures a low carbon future for the area."
DONG Energy UK Wind Power vice president Benj Sykes said: "This is an exciting project that will be a world first in terms of its size and location, and it has the potential to power up to 800,000 UK homes."
The offshore wind project, which is expected to create up to 2,500 local jobs, will support the UK’s environmental objectives and to address a quarter of its electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2020.
The Crown Estate UK seabed manager offshore wind head Huub den Rooijen said: "We are delighted to see such positive decisions as the large scale Hornsea Project One coming through the planning process, which further support the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind and confirm its material contribution to UK power generation into the long term."
Image: SMart Wind secures development consent for Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm. Photo: Courtesy of The Crown Estate 2014.
