The 100 turbine site, which owners Vattenfall say is the largest offshore farm in the world, is to be officially opened the secretary of state for energy, Chris Huhne, and should start producing power today.

Mr Huhne is due to be joined by Swedish firm Vattenfall’s chief executive, Øystein Løseth, for the ceremony this morning.

Mr Løseth said: “This is a milestone in the development of renewable energy for a sustainable society.

“For Vattenfall it is a springboard to the future, both to the British market and to large-scale offshore wind power.

“This is an expression not only of the rapid technological development in offshore wind power, but also of Vattenfall’s development strategy, where the UK is seen as one of the main future markets for offshore wind power.”

Thanet lies in sight of Kentish flats, another offshore wind farm owned by Vattenfall and the two organisations have been merged into one.

Including Thanet Vattenfall is producing 25% of the world’s offshore wind power.

The company is building capacity and competence for the next big step – the development of the East Anglia Array, a gigantic offshore wind farm area in the North Sea off the east coast of England, granted jointly to Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables.

Luke Walsh

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