7.


Offshore wind is expected to provide a significant proportion of the UK’s 2020 renewable energy generation targets (DECC 2011b), and East Anglia THREE would contribute to this.


2.2.3 The Need for New Energy Infrastructure 8.


The need for new energy infrastructure is driven a requirement to replace conventional and aging power stations, maintain an adequate supply of energy and meet the Government climate change objectives. (HM Government, 2009)


9.


NPS EN 1 (which is explained further in Chapter 3 Policy and Legislative Context) notes that on current projections over half (33GW) of new energy infrastructure will need to be from renewable sources (DECC 2011a, paragraph 3.3.22). Of this, up to 16GW of offshore wind could be deployed by 2020, and as much as 39GW by 2030 (DECC 2013).


2.2.4 Maximising Economic Opportunities 10. A key commitment within the UK’s Low Carbon Transition Plan is to assist in making the UK a centre of green industry by supporting the development and use of clean technologies (HM Government 2009, see Summary, page 4).


11.


The energy sector in the UK plays a central role in the economy and renewable energy can play a major part in boosting the economy and providing new jobs and skills, and the offshore wind sector is considered one of the key low carbon sectors in helping to secure this growth potential (HM Government, 2009, chapter 5).


2.3 Benefits of Offshore Wind Energy 12.


13.


The UK is well placed to lead the deployment of offshore wind with an estimated 33% of the total European potential offshore wind resource making it one of the most globally attractive locations.


The key benefits of offshore wind energy as a contributor to the renewable energy mix are as follows:


 


 


Security of energy supply;


A technology with potential to make significant and rapid contributions to the national renewable energy targets;


Diversification and security of energy supply;


Economic development and job creation, both within the UK and further afield within the supply chain; and


Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm


Chapter 2 Need for the Project Page 2


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6