The Yorkshire and Humber region could benefit from jobs and investment as E.on was granted permission to construct a 230MW wind farm off the coast of Humberside.
The Humber Gateway wind farm will generate enough electricity to power up to around 150,000 homes.
Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change said: “Offshore wind not only provides clean, green, secure energy, the investment that comes with it is great for the UK economy too.
“A new wind farm off the Humberside coast will be a further jobs and investment boost for the region, hot on the heels of Siemens’ announcement of plans to develop the Port of Hull.”
The announcement came as Energy Minister Charles Hendry co-chaired the Offshore Wind Developers Forum in London, where wind farm developers discussed how the Government’s proposals for reforming the electricity market can help remove barriers to investment.
Michael Lewis, Managing Director for E.ON's European renewables business, said: "This is really exciting news for us as we see offshore wind as an important part in the future energy mix of the UK.
"It's essential that we continue to invest in renewable technologies and this is further recognition of our expertise in the sector generally and in offshore wind in particular."
E.ON was granted onshore planning consent for a new substation on industrial land near Salt End earlier this year. The substation will connect the Humber Gateway wind farm to the national grid via 30km of underground cable.
Once operational, Humber Gateway will be E.ON's fifth offshore wind farm in the UK. The company already owns and operates the UK's first offshore wind farm off the cost of Blyth in Northumberland, Scroby Sands off the coast of Great Yarmouth, and one of the UK's largest offshore wind farms - Robin Rigg - in the Solway Firth. E.ON is also a partner in the London Array, which will be the world's largest offshore wind farm when built.
Almost half (40%) of all offshore wind turbines in Europe were developed by E.ON last year.
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