I WANTED to respond to Paul Hockey’s recent letter (Real issues are not addressed, October 17, 2014) and his three specific questions about Navitus Bay.

In response to the first, the Navitus Bay wind park is a joint venture between EDF Energy Renewables and Eneco Wind UK Ltd, subsidiaries of European companies that between them employ over 15,000 people in the UK. Both companies would invest significant amounts into the UK energy system to deliver this project, which would help the country meet its energy needs and keep the lights on in the future.

As for where the turbines will be manufactured, we’ve made it clear from the beginning that where we can we will buy our materials and services from the local area, the region and the UK. Britain is now a world leader in offshore wind and manufacturing plants are being set up to meet this need, creating jobs across the country.

Navitus Bay has already invested £8 million into Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and has committed to host our operations and maintenance base in one of three local ports – Poole, Portland or Yarmouth – supporting 140 jobs during the 25 year operation of the wind park.

Finally, large offshore wind projects typically ‘payback’ their entire carbon footprint within a year of starting to generate electricity.

Navitus Bay is estimated to save 1,290,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, making a significant contribution to the UK’s carbon reduction targets.

If anyone has any further questions about Navitus Bay, they can get in contact by ringing our community line on 0800 008 6763, emailing us at info@navitus bay.com, writing to FREEPOST NAVITUS BAY WIND PARK, or visiting www.navitusbaywind park.co.uk.

MIKE UNSWORTH, Project Director, Navitus Bay