E.ON is moving to the next stage of its planned 665MW Rampion wind farm off the Sussex coast.

The company, is also a partner in the London Array which will be the world's largest offshore wind farm when complete, has applied for permission to put a 100m mast on the proposed Rampion site and is on the verge of carrying out detailed environmental studies.

Rampion, which was named after the County flower of Sussex by students at Davison High School in Worthing, would be located around 13km off the Sussex coast and has the potential to supply around 430,0001 homes with renewable electricity.

Dave Rogers, Regional Director for Renewables at E.ON, said: "Round 3 challenges us to build even bigger and better offshore wind farms, in much more challenging environments. Rampion's relative proximity to shore means that we can work reasonably quickly as we look to move to more industrial-scale developments, and we’re already seeing good progress on the scheme.

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"We have to look at ways to produce cleaner and better energy, and offshore wind forms a hugely important part of our portfolio and the future energy mix in the UK. Round 3 developments are key to helping the UK deliver its 2020 renewable targets, which is why it’s essential that we act swiftly to get this type of project into construction."

The met mast will collect wind speed data and measure wave heights and sea currents. The data will then help E.ON to design the best possible layout for the location. Formal consultation with the local community will begin later this year.

E.ON is also a partner in the London Array, which will be the world's largest offshore wind farm when built. Offshore and onshore work with partners DONG Energy and Masdar on the project is now well underway, with the first phase of the project expected to be complete by the end of 2012.

(CD/GK)