Vattenfall gets development consent for offshore wind farm

Vattenfall has been awarded development consent to build Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind farm.

The consent was awarded by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy.

Located more than 47 km from the Norfolk coast and with an installed capacity of 1.8GW, Norfolk Vanguard will supply the equivalent energy needs of 1.95 million UK homes each year, thus saving 3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

“We’re delighted to receive planning consent for Norfolk Vanguard. This decision justifies the confidence that we have in the offshore wind sector in Britain, and we’re looking forward to developing the project and benefiting the local community.

“Vattenfall’s purpose is to power climate smarter living. Decarbonising our economies starts with one of the most essential resources – electricity. Today’s news sends a strong signal that the UK is serious about its climate ambitions and is open for business to power a green economic recovery.”

Gunnar Groebler, senior vice president for Vattenfall’s wind business.

“This is a great step forward in the battle against climate change, to increase jobs and skills in the East of England, and for the offshore wind industry as a whole.

“The Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm will generate 1.8 gigawatts of clean electricity when built. That’s enough to power almost two million homes each year while saving over three million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions – the same as taking approximately 1.6 million cars off the road.

“Today is also great news for people living locally, who we’ve been working with over the last four years to develop this project. They can look forward to a multi-billion pound economic boost, bringing with it hundreds of new long-term jobs, driving forward a green revolution and helping to level up UK opportunities.

“It’s vital that other shovel-ready renewable and low-carbon projects are also given the go-ahead as soon as possible. Delays of even just a month or so can set back big infrastructure developments by years in some cases. The UK has to go much further, much faster, if it’s going to reach its net-zero targets.”

Danielle Lane, country manager and head of offshore wind for Vattenfall in the UK.