The European Investment Bank has approved undisclosed funding for the 487.2MW Seamade offshore wind farm off the coast of Belgium.
EIB said: “The development of offshore wind energy will support EU and national targets for renewable energy generation, and contributes to the security of energy supply and environmental objectives.”
Seamade was previously to be developed as two projects – the 235.2MW Mermaid and 252MW Seastar offshore wind farms.
However, the project developers announced that they were merging the duo last month, which would allow financing to be achieved through one project transaction.
Seamade is being developed by Otary (70%), Electrabel (17.5%) and Eneco (12.5%).
Construction could start in 2019, with the project operational by 2020.
Seamade will consist of 58 Siemens Gamesa 8.4MW turbines with 167-metre rotor diameters on monopile foundations.
Two substations will connect the project to Elia's modular offshore grid.
Image: Elia Group