Ramsgate to be Base for Wind Farm Workers

It's been announced that the port of Ramsgate is going to be used a base for all of the workers building the world's largest offshore windfarm.

175 wind turbines are going to be built in the sea, 20km off the Thanet coast providing enough power for all of the homes in Kent.

Around 100 workers and the construction team are going to be based in a new building at the Port of Ramsgate when it's complete next summer.

A new pontoon will also be built at the Port which will allow boats to take workers to and from the windfarm. It's thought around 15 vessels will be needed while the construction is taking place. Heart has been told the 175 turbines should all be in place by 2012.

Richard Rigg, Project Director for London Array, said: "We're delighted to have signed up Ramsgate as our construction and operations base as we look to take this exciting project offshore early next year.

"It's critical to the success of the scheme that we have a base that can offer us everything we need to manage the construction of the first phase of this flagship wind farm and we know that we've found just that at Ramsgate."

Leader of Thanet District Council, Bob Bayford, said: "This is excellent news for Ramsgate and Thanet and we're delighted that the Port of Ramsgate has been chosen as the operations base. Not only will that bring much needed jobs into the area, but it also helps to raise the profile of our port and the excellent opportunities that it offers. Offshore energy is an innovative green industry and one that we are proud to be associated with."