The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

by Jon Myles

RENEWABLE energy company Airtricity is to power ahead with plans to bring more wind farms to Britain.

The Irish-based firm is putting its expertise into a joint-venture plan to build a 500 megawatt offshore wind farm in the Thames Estuary.

The scheme will cost some £500million and involve the construction of 140 turbines at Greater Gabbard off the coast of Suffolk.

Airtricity is joining forces with massive American engineering and construction company Fluor to get the project off the ground.

Management from both companies have recently completed meetings with key local officials in the area and they support for the project has been forthcoming across the board.

And enthusiastic response to the public consultation process means the Irish 

company will now apply for planning permission and seek an offshore lease to site the wind turbines. 

An environmental impact assessment study will also be carried out before work gets under way.

Airtricity Chief Executive Dr Eddie O’Connor said he hoped construction could begin by 2007 — with the wind farm completed on a phased basis. 

Discussions are also taking place with banks but Airtricity said it had had no immediate need to raise funds by selling shares as the British Government has provided generous funding support for renewable energy projects.

The move is the latest in Airtricity’s expanding operations in Britain.

It now has 1,850 megawatts of wind-power projects under development in the country — compared to just 200 megawatts in Ireland.

Airtricity’s expansion was welcomed by energy industry analysts.

One said: “This is a major move and reinforces Airtricity’s position in the British market.

“Renewable energy sources are attracting good support within government and if the Thames Estuary project comes on stream it will put Airtricity among the front-runners in what is becoming a key energy sector.

“They are becoming a major player in the market and I would expect other developments over the coming months as they look to capitalize on a strong business model.”