PLANS for a massive offshore windfarm that could bring a major economic boost to the East Coast and create hundreds of new jobs are going on public display in Lowestoft today.
PLANS for a massive offshore windfarm that could bring a major economic boost to the East Coast and create hundreds of new jobs are going on public display in Lowestoft today.
ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall Vindkraft - a state-owned Swedish power group - were awarded the rights earlier this year to develop the �15bn windfarm, known as the East Anglia Array, about 25 miles off the coast of North Suffolk.
The development, which will start construction in the next five years, is likely to see the creation of at least 1,000 turbines with the potential to provide enough clean green energy to power the equivalent of over five million homes every year.
With the potential to generate approximately 7.2GW of renewable energy, the �15bn East Anglia Array windfarm site covers 603,680-hectares - larger than the county of Norfolk, from which it took its name.
Business leaders in Lowestoft and Waveney believe the windfarm will bring a major boost to the local economy and create hundreds of new jobs.
ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall - which have set up East Anglia Offshore Wind Limited as a joint venture - have already made specific enquiries about supply chain businesses in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, and also the skills development and education links with Lowestoft College, University Campus Suffolk and the University of East Anglia.
But the hope is that the area can secure work in the manufacturing or assembly of the giant turbines.
Representatives from the windfarm's developers were in Great Yarmouth on Tuesday, and this afternoon they will be at the Hotel Victoria at Kirkley Cliff, Lowestoft, for a public exhibition on their plans. There will be an opportunity to ask questions.
The exhibition will be open from 2.30pm to 8.30pm.
For further information on East Anglia Offshore Wind Limited and its plans, visit: www.eastangliawind.com or e-mail them on enquiries@eastangliawind.com
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