Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd said:
"Thanks to Government support the UK is the world leader in offshore wind energy and this success story is going from strength to strength. DONG Energy's investment shows that we are open for business and is a vote of confidence in the UK and in our plan to tackle the legacy of under-investment and build an energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century.
"This project means secure, clean energy for the country, jobs and financial security for working people and their families, and more skills and growth boosting the Northern Powerhouse".
Once completed, Hornsea Project One will be able to meet the electricity needs of well over 1 million UK homes. It will be located 120 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast – further than the distance from Leeds to Liverpool.
The project has the potential to create around 2,000 jobs during its construction phase with up to 300 additional jobs supported directly and indirectly throughout its operational phase
Hornsea Project One will span a huge area of approximately 407 square kilometres, which is over five times the size of the city of Hull. The offshore wind farm will use 7 megawatt (MW) wind turbines, with each one 190 metres tall – larger than the Gherkin building in London.
Siemens has been named preferred supplier for the 7 MW wind turbines and the new Siemens turbine production facilities in Hull will support the project. A £25 million contract has also been awarded to UK infrastructure company Balfour Beatty for the construction of the onshore substation, underlining DONG Energy's positive impact on the UK supply chain.