May 18 - In the UK, Gordon Brown's government has welcomed the fact that investors have given the go-ahead for the world's largest offshore wind farm to be constructed in the Thames Estuary. The 1GW London Array wind farm will generate sufficient electric

The partners behind this scheme, E.ON, DONG and Masdar, have agreed an initial GBP2 billion investment for the construction of the first phase of the project. The power from this part of the scheme is expected to come on-stream from 2012.

The Prime Minister stated that the London Array represented a flagship project as part of the UK's attempt to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 800y 2050. He added that the project would create jobs and provide a boost for the economy.

Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said that the UK was already the world's leading generator of offshore wind power, adding that the new multi-billion pound project would help retain that position. He also made the point that the scheme would help secure the UK's energy supplies for the future.

Further details can be found on the Department of Energy and Climate Change website at: www.decc.gov.uk.

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