Green light for offshore wind

CONSTRUCTION of a £1.6 billion offshore windfarm was yesterday given the go-ahead by ScottishPower Renewables and Danish firm DONG Energy.

Work will start on the West of Duddon Sands project, 14km off Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, next year. It is believed that when completed, the 389 megawatt project will be able to power 300,000 homes.

Keith Anderson, chief executive of ScottishPower Renewables, said: "West of Duddon Sands will be the first offshore wind project in our pipeline to be commissioned, and marks the start of our extensive investment programme in the offshore wind sector.

"We look forward to continuing this partnership throughout construction and operation."