First wind farm on UK’s south coast unveiled

The new installation, owned by E.ON, Enbridgen, and UK Green Investment Rampion, is expected to generate enough power for up to 350,000 UK homes, saving around 600,000 tonnes of carbon a year.

The opening was welcomed by Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry. "It's great to see the south coast's first offshore wind farm opening, powering around 350,000 homes, creating hundreds of high quality jobs and building on our reputation as a world leader in this sector," she said.

"As part of our modern Industrial Strategy we've set out a further £557m of funding for new renewable projects like this, helping to tackle climate change and deliver clean growth to local economies," she added. "We're putting the finishing touches to our Offshore Wind Sector Deal that will see this sector go from strength to strength for years to come."

A visitor centre for Rampion is expected to open in Brighton next year, where visitors will be able to learn more about climate change and renewable energy.

"Wind power, both onshore and offshore, continues to prove itself as a key part of the UK's future energy mix and sits as a cost-effective alternative to higher carbon forms of power generation," said Michael Lewis, chief executive of E.ON UK.