Iberdrola Renewables awarded one of the world?s largest offshore wind farm projects in the UK, with capacity of 7,200 MW

The preliminary permits required for the zone, which is part of Round 3 of the UK government’s Crown Estate offshore wind farm programme, could be obtained in 2012 and phased construction could start in 2015. The zone has potential to supply power to up to five million households and thereby make a substantial contribution to the country’s renewable energy objectives in combating climate change.

According to Ignacio Galán, this important project will strengthen the company’s leading position in the wind energy sector and cement its presence in the strategic UK market.

Iberdrola Renewables through its ScottishPower Renewables subsidiary, and Vattenfall have set up a 50/50 joint venture, East Anglia Offshore WindOpens in new window., to develop this project off the coast of East Anglia.

Over the past 12 months, both companies have worked with the Crown Estate in assessing the zone. Studies have revealed the significant energy potential of the site, the excellent conditions of local ports and first-class grid connections.

The future East Anglia Array offshore wind farm will be one of nine new zones included in the Crown Estate’s third round of wind power licences. In all, up to 32,000 MW of offshore wind capacity is being awarded in Round 3, creating thousands of jobs and significantly cutting carbon emissions.

A team of specialists from the joint venture has already begun to assess the engineering challenges of the zone and possible environmental effects. The partners intend to work with local companies and boost employment in the area.

Galán, at the presentation in London

The Chairman of Iberdrola Renewables, Ignacio Galán, today attended the Round 3 presentation in London, stating after the awards had been announced that the project will strengthen the company’s global leadership position in the wind energy sector and cement its presence in the strategic UK market: “We are delighted to be working with Vattenfall on what will be one of the largest wind farms in the world. The development of East Anglia ArrayOpens in new window. will doubtlessly be a great engineering challenge but, as the UK’s leading onshore wind power company, the experience we have gained over the last 15 years will help us succeed in this far-reaching project”.

The Chairman and CEO of Vattenfall, Lars G. Josefsson, added: “Generating clean energy is a commitment Vattenfall has made to its customers and society, and offshore wind power is a cornerstone of our contribution to a better climate. Vattenfall is therefore delighted to be working with ScottishPower Renewables and we are excited about the prospect of using our wide and varied offshore wind experience gained building schemes across Europe by developing a wind farm off the East Anglia coast”.

ScottishPower Renewables is working on several offshore wind power projects in the UK, with a total capacity of 1,700 MW, including the 500 MW West of Duddon Sands project. The company is now the leading developer and generator of onshore wind energy in the country and operates the largest wind farm in Europe, Whitelee in Scotland, completed in May 2009.

Iberdrola Renewables, present in 23 countries, is the world leader in wind power, both installed capacity (with around 11,000 MW at year-end 2009), and output (over 21,000 million kWh).