Airtricity secures wind park project in UK

Energy group Airtricity has secured the lease to build and operate a 500mw offshore wind park at Greater Gabbard near the Thames Estuary in the UK.

It won the contract as part of a joint venture with the UK subsidiary of US engineering company Fluor.

The Greater Gabbard Project is located 26km from the Suffolk coast and comprises one site located in the outer Thames Estuary on two sand banks known as the Inner Gabbard and The Galloper.

It is regarded as an ideal site for an offshore wind farm due to high wind speeds, low water depth, suitable ground conditions and minimal environmental sensitivities.

Eddie O'Connor, Airtricity's chief executive said, "Together we will assist the UK Government to meet its commitment of 10% of UK electricity being derived from renewable sources by 2010."