 Work to construct the wind farms will start next year |
Two new offshore wind farms which will provide power to 180,000 homes have been given the go-ahead by the government. A total of 60 turbines, each the height of the London Eye, will be built in the Irish Sea off Cumbria and in the Thames Estuary.
Energy Minister Brian Wilson said the "massive expansion" of offshore wind would play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy.
He said: "Britain is the windiest country in Europe and these locations provide the shallow waters needed for offshore wind technology."
Finished projects
The South East's first ever offshore wind farm will be built on the Kentish Flats, north of Herne Bay.
Construction will start next year on 30 turbines which will power up to 100,000 homes.
The second wind farm will be built next year in the Irish Sea off Barrow, powering up to 87,000 homes.
Warwick Energy has said the closest turbine will be about 7km from the southern tip of Walney Island.
The UK will have six offshore wind farms when the projects are completed.
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