By Renewable Enery Focus

The overall construction cost is up to £1.6 billion, including the cost to build the offshore transmission assets.

Once the offshore wind farm is operational, the assets will be sold off to an offshore transmission operator, whom Ofgem will select, and the transmission assets costs will be returned.

West of Duddon Sands will comprise 108 Siemens 3.6 MW wind turbines and will have an overall capacity of 389 MW. It will be commissioned in 2014.

The wind farm will adjoin DONG Energy's Walney 1 and 2 wind farms. The two wind farms, a combined capacity of 367 MW, are expected to be commissioned in 2011.

ScottishPower Renewables CEO, Keith Anderson, says: “West of Duddon Sands will be the first offshore wind project in our pipeline to be commissioned, and marks the start of our extensive investment programme in the offshore wind sector.”

DONG Energy and Belfast Harbour had, in February 2011, inked a letter of intent, under which Belfast Harbour will set up a customised installation harbour. The deal will be finalised and DONG Energy will rent this facility.