Coastal views from Deal are due to change in a massive way as Thanet Offshore Wind Farm starts to make an impact on the horizon.

The £800million development is expected to be finished later this year and has been welcomed by the town’s environmental group Deal With It.

It will be the largest operational offshore wind farm in the world, with 100 turbines, and is expected to supply about 240,000 homes a year with clean energy.

Rosie Rechter, from Deal With It, said: “We think offshore wind farms are great.

“We really welcome their contribution to the mix of renewable energy that we need, not only to combat climate change but also to provide a secure, safe and eventually cheaper source of energy for the future.

“At a distance they look beautiful and I understand that about 70 per cent of people approve of them offshore.”

Vattenfall acquired the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm project in November 2008 and has pledged it make a significant contribution to the government’s national and regional renewable energy targets.

Project director Ole Bigum Nielsen said: “Vattenfall is pleased that construction of the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm is progressing well.

“The winter weather has not stopped us putting up the turbines and installing the electricity cables.”

* For more details see this week's East Kent Mercury