 14.


Low lifetime CO2 emissions per unit of electricity generated;


As of February 2014 there are over 3.65GW of operational offshore wind capacity in UK waters, making the UK the world leader in offshore wind energy. In addition, from the first two leasing rounds for offshore wind, over 1.4GW is currently under construction, over 2GW has planning approval and a further 2.4GW is in planning (RenewableUK 2014).


15.


The continued development of offshore wind within the UK is therefore seen as critical to ensuring that the UK and Europe are able to meet their binding energy and climate change targets.


2.4 Summary – the need for East Anglia THREE 16.


East Anglia THREE would make a contribution to the achievement of the national renewable energy targets and to the global efforts to tackle climate change.


17. Moreover, East Anglia THREE would have a direct positive impact by providing 1,200MW of renewable energy, securing supply for up to 770,0001 households, reducing carbon emissions and contributing to the economy by providing jobs during all phases of the proposed project.


2.5 References


Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) (2011a). Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) July 2011, DECC Publications.


Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) (2011b). National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) July 2011, DECC Publications.


Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) (2013). UK Renewable Energy Roadmap update 2013, DECC Publications.


HM Government (2009). The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan; National strategy for climate and energy.


RenewableUK (2014). Development Rounds. Available at http://www.renewableuk.com/en/renewable-energy/wind-energy/offshore- wind/development-rounds.cfm


Chapter 2 Ends Here


1 Calculated using a 31.96% capacity factor (the UK average for offshore wind as supplied by DECC Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics) and an annual household consumption of 4,266 kilowatt hours.


Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm


Chapter 2 Need for the Project Page 3


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