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The world's largest offshore wind farm could be built off the north Devon coast in a £3 billion project, it has been revealed.
The collection of 350 turbines, known as the Atlantic Array, is proposed for a site to the north west of Ilfracombe.
Farm Energy2, the Devon-based company behind the scheme, hopes that the site could generate enough green electricity to power more than a million homes.
The proposal, which would generate 1,500 megawatts of renewable power, could also create hundreds of long term, jobs, with even more in the wider community.
Farm Energy originated the London Array project in the Thames Estuary, currently the world's largest offshore wind scheme, which received offshore consents from the DTI and Defra in December 2006.
Farm Energy Director Peter Crone said: "Atlantic Array would be a landmark project that would see the South West taking a significant step towards a more environmentally sustainable future.
"Every year, the wind farm would avoid the release of 2.3m tonnes of carbon dioxide - the main gas contributing to global warming - equivalent to over 5% of the South West's greenhouse gas emissions."
The power from the wind farm would be transmitted to shore via submarine cables and then via underground cables into the existing National Grid substation at Alverdiscott.
Devon County Council regional affairs spokesman Humphrey Temperley said:
"The proposal represents the best opportunity for the local economy in northern Devon in a decade. Ilfracombe, Bideford and Appledore could all share the onshore benefits. The wind farm could provide enough energy for all of Devon and there is potential for tidal power to be added later."
The Atlantic Array scheme could supply 53% of the South West's domestic energy, offsetting 2.3 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
Copyright Press Association 2007.
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