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Archived press release

Green light for world's biggest windfarm welcomed

18 December 2006

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's decision to grant offshore planning permission to the World's largest windfarm in the Thames Estuary. The London Array windfarm could generate enough electricity to meet the needs of nearly 750,000 homes - or a quarter of the homes in Greater London.

The Government also gave the go-ahead to the Thanet windfarm, seven miles from North Foreland on the Kent coast, which will consist of up to 100 turbines.

Friends of the Earth's climate campaigner, Martyn Williams, said:

"Wind energy has a vital role to play in cutting UK carbon dioxide levels. London Array could generate enough electricity every year to meet the needs of a quarter of London's homes, and cut up to 1.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. There are lots of clean, safe solutions to the climate change challenge, but we must start investing in them now.

"UK carbon dioxide emissions have risen under Labour. The Government must show that it is prepared to take action that will lead to substantial cuts. Schemes like London Array can play a significant part, but we must go further. Ministers should start by ensuring that the recently-announced new climate change law will require successive Government's to make annual cuts in UK emissions."

The 1.3bn London Array windfarm, would be sited 20 kilometres offshore in the Greater Thames Estuary. It will consist of 341 turbines and cover 232 square kilometres. It will have a 1,000MW capacity - enough to meet ten per cent of the Government's 2010 renewables target.

Note

1. The consortium behind London Array includes CORE Limited, E.ON UK Renewables and Shell WindEnergy Limited.
www.londonarray.com/london-array-project-introduction/

The consortium behind London Array is appealing against a Kent council's refusal for an onshore substation.

For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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