Vattenfall - History

History

The project at Kentish Flats was originally developed by GREP, a 100 percent subsidiary of the Danish wind turbine manufacturer NEG Micon (Now Vestas). In 2003 the project was sold as a turnkey project to the Danish power company Elsam. Since July 2006 Elsam has become part of other, larger power companies and today Kentish Flats is owned and operated by Vattenfall.

Political drivers

The British Government has set targets for the generation of electricity from renewables at 15 percent by the year 2015. Both onshore and offshore wind energy will contribute significantly to achieving this target. The need for renewable energy projects such as the Kentish Flats wind farm is also recognized at regional and local levels. The Government Office of the South-East has recommended that a target of some 6.6 percent of the region's current electricity demand be satisfied by renewable sources by 2010. Offshore wind farms are highlighted as being best placed to help achieve these aims, with the seas off the north Kent coast identified as being the area of greatest potential for offshore wind farm development in the region. The Kentish Flats project has an important role to play in helping to achieve the Government targets in relation to climate change and the commitments of the Kyoto protocol. The Kentish Flats project will displace an estimated 4.4 million tons of carbon dioxide over its 20-year life time, compared to conventional fossil fuel generation. The Kentish Flats wind farm will operate for 20 years, after which the wind farm may be decommissioned and entirely removed from the offshore environment.