Lowestoft Windfarm Proposal Hinges on Helicopters

The most easterly town in the U.K., Lowestoft in Suffolk, may soon become the operational base for what is being called by London press, “the world’s largest offshore windfarm.”

The plan is to build a base at the seafront Waveney Dock, which will operate and maintain the Greater Gabbard windfarm 26km (85,000 ft) off the Suffolk coast. The windfarm will feature 140 turbines and, according to estimates, will be running by the end of 2010.

It will include a helicopter landing pad and hangar. Airtricity is funding the Greater Gabbard windfarm, and the planning application, submitted by Bond Air Services, shows that a landing pad and hangar would be built on an existing concrete jetty at Waveney Dock.

Airtricity will break ground as soon as the Waveney District Council gives permission for the helipad and hangar. The development would bring about 120 jobs to the town, made up mainly of turbine technicians and engineers.

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