Man-made island to provide energy for about 80 million people in Europe

Efforts are being put in place to create an artificial island off the UK coast which would be able to supply parts Europe with renewable energy.

The following are countries that would benefit from the project upon its completion: Britain, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Belgium. The man-made island would host several wind turbines and solar panels and act as an energy centre of the continent.

The project is said to be proposal made by a group of energy firms from the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. And it is expected to cost £1.1 billion, and also rubber stamped by Brussels on March 23.

The project which is to occupy 25 square mile island is going to accommodate a small workforce and feature roads, workshops, trees and a man-made lake with a beach.

Sea and airports which accommodate tankers, a control tower and terminal are also going to be built together with the 7,000 wind turbine.

It is believed that by 2050 hubs would be put to used says Energinet, a Danish state-owned energy grid operator.

According to Torben Glar Nielsen, Energinet technical director: “Maybe it sounds a bit crazy and science fiction-like but an Island on Dogger Bank could make the wind power of the future a lot cheaper and more effective.”

Positioned 62 miles off the coast of Hull on Dogger Bank, the site is thought to keep costs low as it is comparatively shallow with depths varying from 15 to 36 metres.

Interestingly, it has been announced that the moment the island becomes ready for use over 80 million people would have their homes powered. Again, the project is intended to meet the target set by the Europe to reduce the release of carbon dioxide emissions.

Energinet said: “Wind and solar energy complement each other: there is more sun from spring to autumn, and more wind in the colder and darker months of the year.

“So a sustainable and stable energy system for the future will need solar and wind energy, both on a large scale.

“This requires optimum cooperation and synergy because it cannot be accomplished by individual member states alone.”

Dogger Bank provided an ideal location as it had optimal wind conditions, it centrally located and is in shallow waters, they said.

They added: “Staff, components and assembly workshops can be stationed on the island, thus optimising and simplifying complex offshore logistics.”

The firm behind the North Sea Wind Power Hub are expected to sign a deal on March 23 in the presence of European Energy Union Commissioner, Maos Sefcovic.