Called the London Array the farm will be off the coast of Essex and Kent in the outer estuary area of the Thames.

Firms DONG Energy, E.ON and Masdar will join forces to build the first 630MW phase of the array.

Once complete, it’s believed the scheme will be the world’s largest, and the first oneGW offshore wind farm.

The project will supply enough power for around 750,000 homes – or a quarter of Greater London properties – and displace 1.9m tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

Depending on when construction gets underway the scheme’s first phase could start producing its renewable power in 2012.

Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister, said: “The London Array is a flagship project in our drive to cut emissions by 80% by 2050 and meet future energy needs.

“The UK is a world leader in offshore wind farms, creating jobs and prosperity for the economy.

“That’s why we have increased our support for this technology as we move towards a low carbon future.”

The scheme will be built around 12 miles off the coasts of Kent and Essex, on a 90 square mile site, in two phases.

John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace, said: “Cutting-edge projects like the London Array will help generate clean, secure energy.

“The UK has the best renewable energy resources in Europe, and the know-how to harvest it. The London Array should be the start of a major expansion of offshore wind to help power Britain.

“The government now needs to remove the hurdles that have stopped the faster development of the wind industry.”

Luke Walsh

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