One of the UK’s biggest offshore wind farms could be built off the East Yorkshire coast under plans submitted by energy giant E.ON. The Humber Gateway Offshore Wind Farm would consist of up to 83 turbines in the North Sea, five miles (8km) off Spurn Point. The £700m scheme would generate enough electricity for up to 195,000 homes. E.ON said construction work would begin in the next two to three years with power being generated a year later. It has submitted planning applications to East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The company said it planned to hold a series of public meetings to explain the project to the local community. Project manager Chris Sherrington said: “If built, Humber Gateway would be one of the biggest offshore wind farms in the UK and would play a vital role in the fight against climate change. “Not only will this scheme put East Yorkshire at the forefront of the UK’s effort to reduce carbon emissions, it will help ensure a secure, reliable and clean supply of electricity for families and businesses across the region. “We’ve spent a great deal of time and effort studying how the wind farm would interact with the local environment and we feel it’s extremely important that we talk to the community about the findings of our these studies and to hear their views on the project.” Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Nick Rau said FoE was delighted with the plans. “Offshore wind has a key role in the fight against climate change and helping us switch to a low-carbon economy. “Projects like this are a springboard to a massive expansion of offshore wind energy.”

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