The Greater Gabbard (GG) scheme, which will supply 500MW through 140 turbines, will cut CO2 emissions by 1.5 million tonnes a year – the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road, a Westminster statement said. The project is being developed by the companies Airtricity and Fluor.
The new wind farm facility will have the ability to supply clean electricity to over 415,000 homes, more than all the demand in Suffolk. It will be placed close to two shallow sandbanks – the Inner Gabbard and the Galloper – around 23km from the Suffolk coast. The sites will occupy an area of nearly 150 square kilometers within the outer Thames Estuary strategic wind farm area.
Commenting on the project, Eddie O’Connor, Airtricity CEO, said: This is a great boon for the UK. When the wind blows, free generation replaces generation that costs…Such large-scale offshore wind provides consistent power and will push down the prices for fossil fuels…Greater Gabbard will save money as well as contributing to the amount of electricity generated from emissions free sources.
