The Kentish Flats wind farm is a key element of the British Government's commitment to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide seeking to reverse the trends of climate change.

The Kentish Flats wind farm comprises 30 efficient wind turbines capable of producing up to 3 MW of electricity each, so that the total output of the wind farm could be up to 90 MW.

The Kentish Flats offshore wind farm has set a dual record: the 30 turbine project was the largest wind turbine so far installed in the UK, and the farm was the largest wind farm in the UK, at 90 MW rated capacity, at the erection time.

The wind farm is arranged in a regular grid of five east-west rows each of six turbines, sited in an area of 10 km². The spacing between each turbine and rows of turbines will be 700 metres.
Elsam
The project at Kentish Flats was originally developed by GREP, a 100 % subsidiary of the Danish wind turbine manufacturer NEG Micon (Now Vestas). However in November 2003 the project was sold as a turnkey project to the Danish power company Elsam.

Elsam has more than 25 years of experience within wind energy projects and the purchase is part of Elsam's strategy to become an international company by establishing energy plants on a sustainable and long-term basis, beyond the borders of Denmark.

Political drivers
The British Government has set targets for the generation of electricity from renewables at 15 % by the year 2015. Both onshore and offshore wind energy will contribute significantly to achieving this target.

The need for renewable energy projects such as the Kentish Flats wind farm is also recognised at regional and local levels. The Government Office of the South-East has recommended that a target of some 6.6 % of the region's current electricity demand be satisfied by renewable sources by 2010.

Offshore wind farms are highlighted as being best placed to help achieve these aims, with the seas off the north Kent coast identified as being the area of greatest potential for offshore wind farm development in the region.

The Kentish Flats project has an important role to play in helping to achieve the Government targets in relation to climate change and the commitments of the Kyoto protocol.

The Kentish Flats project alone will displace an estimated 4.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over its 20-year life time, compared to conventional fossil fuel generation.