A leading Swedish energy company has given the green light to a 15 turbine offshore wind farm off the Kent coast.

Vattenfall’s 49.5 megawatt (MW) Kentish Flats Extension (KFE), consented by the UK Government’s Energy Secretary earlier this year, has gained a final investment decision from the Vattenfall Board of Directors to deliver the sustainable energy scheme. When operational in 2015, KFE will generate annually the equivalent power used by 42,000 UK households, in addition to the existing 30 turbine Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm.

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Matthew Green, Vattenfall’s Project Manager for the scheme, said: “Vattenfall’s decision to invest around £150mn in Kentish Flats Extension is the final hurdle that needs to be cleared before construction can start in 2015. It’s good to get that and I’m looking forward to leading the construction team over the next two and a half years. We will now complete a period of intense detailed engineering and planning for the construction phase in 2015.”

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey said: “I am delighted that Vattenfall are going to proceed with the Kentish Flats Extension project. This is testament to the power of inward investment in theUK.

“Offshore wind is a major success story for the UK which brings economic benefit to our shores, supports thousands of skilled jobs and is an important contributor to our energy mix.

“The UK is well placed to maintain its position as the world’s biggest offshore wind market out to 2020.”

Mark Dance, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Kent County Council said: “The decision to go ahead with the extension of Kentish Flats is greatnews for Kent. We are really pleased to be able to support the expansion of one of the UK’s pioneering offshore wind farms. This major investment further strengthens the important role the County is playing in the growth of offshore wind industry and will bring lasting benefits to our local economy and people.”

Peter Wesslau, Vattenfall’s UK CountryManager, said: “Vattenfall is committed to developing wind power in the UK.Since May this year we have promised to invest, in total, more than £600mn in two onshore wind power schemes and now offshore with Kentish Flats Extension. The UK is currently one of the most attractive places in Europe to invest in wind power and we are keen to continue building our business here.”

Vattenfall owns and operates the 90MW Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm and the 300MW Thanet Offshore Wind Farm.

Construction schedule

*Based on Department of Energy & Climate Change data for average annual UK household electricity consumption of 4,266 kilowatt hours.

Source: Vattenfall