What the meteorological mast will look like.
A NEW sea mast is due to be constructed 8.5 miles off The Needles.
A 100-metre lattice meteorological mast will be built in the autumn to gather wind data for the proposed £2 billion-plus Navitus Bay wind park.
The test mast was given permission by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
Project director for Navitus Bay Development Ltd, Chris Sherrington, said: "The approval of the meteorological mast application is an important milestone for the project and will help us gather more important data to support the planning application.
"It will also help us ensure we can maximise the amount of clean energy which the wind park could create. Currently we estimate we could generate enough energy to power up to 820,000 homes.
"Alongside our consultation with the MMO and local authorities, we are continuing to talk to Trinity House, the Maritime Coastguard Agency as well as local sailing and yachting clubs.
"This is part of the Navigational Safety Risk Assessment and will feed into the final Environmental Impact Assessment, which we are currently undertaking."
Navitus Bay Development Ltd plans to submit a development consent order — the wind park’s planning application — to the Planning Inspectorate at the end of 2013.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk