The world’s largest offshore wind project, the 1,000MW London Array, has also now received its final consent. The overhead electricity line that will eventually connect the onshore sub-station in Kent to the wind farm that is to be sited in the Thames Estuary, was also approved by the Energy Minister.

The new UK Energy Bill contains measures to ‘band’ the Renewables Obligation (RO) in order to provide increased financial support to less developed renewable energy technologies, such as offshore wind.

Malcolm Wicks said, 'Our belief in renewables has been questioned recently by some but actions do speak louder than words. We are delivering on our promises to get projects such as Walney and the London Array through the system. The Energy Bill will allow us to increase the amount of backing schemes like this get from the Renewables Obligation. People should recognise that the UK, along with Denmark, is leading the world in the development of offshore wind power.'